CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Northwestern field hockey is headed back to the National Championship after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 2-1 in their semifinal on Friday in Chapel Hill. The 'Cats will play in the title game for the third consecutive season, vying for their second national title in three years.
Defense dominated in the first quarter and the game remained scoreless after the first 15 minutes. Duke got just one shot off in the period, while the 'Cats took six but couldn't convert.
Northwestern opened the scoring in the second when Ilse Tromp converted a penalty corner on assists from Alia Marshall and Lauren Hunter. Tromp's 11th score of the season made it a 1-0 ballgame in favor of the 'Cats.
Sunday's title match will feature a rematch of 2022's final between Northwestern and UNC. The game will begin at 12:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU.
Defense dominated in the first quarter and the game remained scoreless after the first 15 minutes. Duke got just one shot off in the period, while the 'Cats took six but couldn't convert.
Northwestern opened the scoring in the second when Ilse Tromp converted a penalty corner on assists from Alia Marshall and Lauren Hunter. Tromp's 11th score of the season made it a 1-0 ballgame in favor of the 'Cats.
Duke answered back in the first few minutes of the third, knotting it up at one apiece. The score would stay there until the fourth quarter, when Regan Cornelius scored on a feed from Olivia Bent-Cole to retake the lead for Northwestern.It never gets old ?? pic.twitter.com/rzYJaWSlqW
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 17, 2023
The 'Cats' defenders held up through the final few minutes, securing a 2-1 victory for the Wildcats and a trip back to the National Championship game.'CATS ON TOP.@regan_cornelius. CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/4O7Bh9iqpd
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 17, 2023
Sunday's title match will feature a rematch of 2022's final between Northwestern and UNC. The game will begin at 12:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU.