EVANSTON, Ill. – Playing their first home game at Lakeside Field in 497 days, Northwestern Field Hockey protected its home turf in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday afternoon.
Bente Baekers led the way for the Wildcats with two goals, while Mackenzie Keegan, Peyton Halsey and Maddie Zimmer each added a goal of their own.
On the whole, the Wildcats outshot the Hoosiers, 14-2, including seven shots in the first quarter alone. Keegan opened the scoring midway through the first after converting on a successful penalty corner attempt assisted by Christen Conley and Alia Marshall.
Up 1-0 entering the second quarter, Halsey and Baekers quickly extend the 'Cats' lead with back-to-back goals within a 40 second span. Halsey added an assists on Baekers' goal, her first helper of the season.
Baekers added her second goal of the game just three minutes into the second half, marking her first multi-goal effort of the early season.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Zimmer put the finishing touches on an impressive all-around team performance with an unassisted goal, her second of the season.
Annabel Skubisz made the start at goalie for the 'Cats and posted one save in 52 minutes of action before handing it off to Abby Renaud to help the Wildcats post their first shutout on the year.
With the win, Northwestern improves to 4-1 on the season. The Wildcats will be back in action at Lakeside Field on Sunday for a rematch against the Hoosiers beginning at Noon CT.
Bente Baekers led the way for the Wildcats with two goals, while Mackenzie Keegan, Peyton Halsey and Maddie Zimmer each added a goal of their own.
On the whole, the Wildcats outshot the Hoosiers, 14-2, including seven shots in the first quarter alone. Keegan opened the scoring midway through the first after converting on a successful penalty corner attempt assisted by Christen Conley and Alia Marshall.
Up 1-0 entering the second quarter, Halsey and Baekers quickly extend the 'Cats' lead with back-to-back goals within a 40 second span. Halsey added an assists on Baekers' goal, her first helper of the season.
Baekers added her second goal of the game just three minutes into the second half, marking her first multi-goal effort of the early season.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Zimmer put the finishing touches on an impressive all-around team performance with an unassisted goal, her second of the season.
Annabel Skubisz made the start at goalie for the 'Cats and posted one save in 52 minutes of action before handing it off to Abby Renaud to help the Wildcats post their first shutout on the year.
With the win, Northwestern improves to 4-1 on the season. The Wildcats will be back in action at Lakeside Field on Sunday for a rematch against the Hoosiers beginning at Noon CT.