Field Hockey vs. LouisvilleField Hockey vs. Louisville

No. 2 Northwestern Travels to Maryland for ACC/Big Ten Challenge

EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 2 Northwestern travels to College Park, Maryland, this weekend for a pair of games in the B1G/ACC Challenge. The Wildcats face No. 17 Boston College on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, followed by a clash against No. 20 Duke on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT. Both games will be televised on BTN+. 

Storylines
  • Northwestern is coming off a season-opening defeat to No. 9 Louisville on Sunday, Aug. 27, the program's first loss in an opener since 2018. The Wildcats outshot the Cardinals 21-3, including 10-1 on goal, but were unable to find the breakthrough. Louisville notched the only score of the game on its first penalty corner in the third quarter.
  • Head coach Tracey Fuchs announced the addition of Tristan Clemons to the coaching staff last week. Clemons, who is now an assistant coach for the 'Cats, served as a volunteer assistant on Fuchs' staff for three seasons, most recently during the 2021 spring season. Clemons, a successful goaltender for the Australian Men's Hockey Team, will work with Northwestern's goalkeepers this season. 
  • The 'Cats had three student-athletes named to the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch list on Wednesday: fifth-year Peyton Halsey and seniors Annabel Skubisz and Lauren Wadas. Both Skubisz and Wadas were named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2022, while Halsey was named to the NFHCA All-West Second Team.
  • Boston College commenced its 2023 campaign with back-to-back victories on the road against Maine and Providence. The Eagles have outscored opponents 6-1 through their first two contests, led by Peyton Hale and Mia Garber, who have each tallied two goals.
  • Duke is 1-0 on the season, having defeated Indiana 3-2 last Friday. Three different Blue Devils — Kira Curland, Macy Szukics and Alaina McVeigh — placed their names on the scoresheet in the victory. 

Matchup Information 
  • Friday's game marks the 19th all-time meeting between Northwestern and Boston College, a series the 'Cats lead 14-4.
  • Sunday's game marks the 14th all-time meeting between Northwestern and Duke, a series the Blue Devils lead 8-5.
  • The 'Cats defeated the Eagles 6-0 in last year's B1G/ACC Challenge, featuring goals from Chloe Relford, Lane Herbert and Peyton Halsey.
  • Northwestern emerged victorious in its most recent meeting against Duke, dispatching the Blue Devils 2-0.