COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - After scoring three goals and an assist in Northwestern field hockey’s Big Ten Tournament title run, Ashley Sessa was named the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Offensive Player of the Week. The senior forward posted seven points, helping the Wildcats claim back-to-back conference tournament championships and improve to 18-2 (7-1 Big Ten).
Collecting the national weekly accolade for the fifth time in her career and second this season, Sessa earns the honor after also being named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player on Sunday. The senior notched a goal and an assist in NU’s 3-0 semifinal win against No. 17 Indiana, and logged a pair of goals in Sunday’s tournament championship-winning 3-0 result over then-No. 1 Maryland.
Sessa has the second-most points, third-most goals and game-winning goals and fourth-most assists in the conference. Her seven-point performance increases her ‘Cats’ career scoring tally to 173 points (2024-present), good for third place on Northwestern’s career scoring leaderboard.
The 2026 Big Ten Player of the Year, and winner of three-straight Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, Sessa’s scoring and offensive dominance have helped the ‘Cats to the overall No.1-seed in this season’s NCAA Tournament.
Junior goalkeeper Juliana Boon received the honorable mention nod for NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week.
Sessa and the ‘Cats open NCAA Tournament play at Lakeside Field to host the winner of St. Joseph’s/Vermont in the first round. NU’s pass-back on ESPN+ is slated for Friday, Nov. 13, at 12 p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, linked here.