NEWTON, Mass. — The No. 1 Northwestern field hockey team knocked off No. 6 Duke 4-3 in an overtime thriller on Friday at Boston College Field Hockey Complex.
Facing their first deficit of the season, the Wildcats (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) stormed back with three unanswered goals to stun the Blue Devils (2-1, 0-0 ACC) in their opening matchup of the B1G/ACC Challenge. Northwestern has won its past six overtime games, dating back to the 2024 season.
Ilse Tromp (two goals) and Ashley Sessa (one goal, two assists) paced Northwestern’s offense with four points apiece.
#15M
Sol Martinez
Sol Martinez delivered the game-winner — her first-career goal — just over six minutes into overtime.
Olivia Bent-Cole racked up a pair of assists, and Piper Borz sent in the feed on Martinez’s decisive tally.
The Wildcats outshot Duke 19-14, with 14 shots on target.
On the defensive end, Juliana Boon posted five saves facing eight shots on goal. Before NU secured the win, Boon had two stops in quick succession that led to the ‘Cats’ transition opportunity.
Sessa opened her 2026 scoring account with a diving effort off a Bent-Cole assist to give the ‘Cats a 1-0 lead just over 10 minutes into the game. Sessa’s tally marked the Blue Devils’ first goal allowed this season.
Ashley Stockdale provided a quick response for Duke, tying the game at 1-1 less than 90 seconds after Sessa’s opener. The goal ended Northwestern’s 131-minute stretch without a goal conceded to start the year.
The Blue Devils capitalized on a pair of penalty corners in the second quarter to carry a 3-1 advantage into halftime.
While both teams had their share of chances in the third quarter, neither side broke through to make an imprint on the scoreboard.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Tromp scored her first goal of the season on a penalty corner, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Bent-Cole and Sessa picked up helpers on the goal.
After Sessa drew Northwestern’s third penalty corner of the fourth quarter, Tromp struck once more. The 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year netted an equalizing APC goal with 5:26 to play in regulation.
As neither team secured a crucial fourth goal in regulation, NU entered its first overtime game of the season.
Despite starting the overtime period a player down, the ‘Cats drew a penalty corner less than two minutes into the extra frame. Tromp nearly completed her hat trick, forcing a save out of Kaiya Chepow, who tallied 10 on the day for Duke.
After back-and-forth action in the opening minutes of overtime, Borz fielded the ball on the right sideline and drove into the center circle. She sent a pass across the face of the Blue Devils' goal, which Martinez buried at the back post.
The Wildcats will be back in action against Boston College on Sunday, Sept. 6. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on ACC Network.