EVANSTON, Ill. – Two-seed Northwestern defeated Louisville 3-2 in dramatic fashion Sunday to secure its third straight trip to the NCAA Final Four. It marks the seventh time in program history that the Wildcats have punched their ticket to the national semifinals.
Tied 2-2 with less than two minutes on the clock, Lauren Wadas fired on a penalty corner in the 59th minute that handed Northwestern the decisive score. Inserted by Alia Marshall and teed up by Lauren Hunter, Wadas' goal marked her ninth of the season and the sixth of her postseason career. She has scored in both of Northwestern's NCAA Tournament games this season.
Hunter and Marshall contributed two assists in the contest, bringing them to 11 and 23 on the season, respectively.
Louisville struck first, going up 1-0 in the 10th minute, but the Wildcats punched back less than two minutes later when Ilse Tromp scored off an assist from Wadas.
The Cardinals pulled ahead again to close the third quarter, and again Tromp contributed the critical equalizer to start the fourth. Tromp has scored 10 goals this season and three over the last two games.
After setting the program record for shutouts in a season against Miami (OH) Friday, goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz came up huge for the Wildcats again, making five saves on nine Louisville shots.
Northwestern advances to the Final Four in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where it will face three-seed Duke for a spot in the National Championship. The game is set for 3 p.m. on Friday, November 17 and will bee streamed on ESPN+.
Tied 2-2 with less than two minutes on the clock, Lauren Wadas fired on a penalty corner in the 59th minute that handed Northwestern the decisive score. Inserted by Alia Marshall and teed up by Lauren Hunter, Wadas' goal marked her ninth of the season and the sixth of her postseason career. She has scored in both of Northwestern's NCAA Tournament games this season.
CARDIAC CATS ARE BACK pic.twitter.com/UDHMJRUBhr
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 12, 2023
Hunter and Marshall contributed two assists in the contest, bringing them to 11 and 23 on the season, respectively.
Louisville struck first, going up 1-0 in the 10th minute, but the Wildcats punched back less than two minutes later when Ilse Tromp scored off an assist from Wadas.
The Cardinals pulled ahead again to close the third quarter, and again Tromp contributed the critical equalizer to start the fourth. Tromp has scored 10 goals this season and three over the last two games.
Made for this moment. pic.twitter.com/UjoRfGGr3X
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 12, 2023
After setting the program record for shutouts in a season against Miami (OH) Friday, goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz came up huge for the Wildcats again, making five saves on nine Louisville shots.
Northwestern advances to the Final Four in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where it will face three-seed Duke for a spot in the National Championship. The game is set for 3 p.m. on Friday, November 17 and will bee streamed on ESPN+.