ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Powered by a breakout third quarter, top-seeded Northwestern field hockey took down Ohio State 3-1 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Friday afternoon in Ann Arbor. The 'Cats will move on to the championship game and face either Rutgers or Maryland on Sunday morning.
The first half was dominated by the defenses. Northwestern limited the Buckeyes to just two shots in the first quarter, while the 'Cats' own offense was held without a shot for the first 15 minutes. Ohio State had five chances in the second quarter, but goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz was stifling, racking up four saves before the break.
After the break, the Wildcats hit their offensive stride in the third. Ilse Tromp and Lauren Wadas both scored goals off penalty corners in the span of just 39 seconds, then Peyton Halsey added a run-of-play score to make it a 3-0 'Cats lead.
Ohio State got one back in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to make up the deficit, and the 'Cats won their 17th straight by a final score of 3-1.
Northwestern's opponent will be either second-seeded Rutgers or third-seeded Maryland depending on the result of Friday afternoon's semifinal. The Big Ten Tournament Championship will be broadcast from Ann Arbor on Big Ten Network.
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND!
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 3, 2023
The 'Cats are moving on ?? pic.twitter.com/wxLBGKJDUC
The first half was dominated by the defenses. Northwestern limited the Buckeyes to just two shots in the first quarter, while the 'Cats' own offense was held without a shot for the first 15 minutes. Ohio State had five chances in the second quarter, but goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz was stifling, racking up four saves before the break.
After the break, the Wildcats hit their offensive stride in the third. Ilse Tromp and Lauren Wadas both scored goals off penalty corners in the span of just 39 seconds, then Peyton Halsey added a run-of-play score to make it a 3-0 'Cats lead.
'Cats are HOT ?? pic.twitter.com/qsjg6Oq4BD
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) November 3, 2023
Ohio State got one back in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to make up the deficit, and the 'Cats won their 17th straight by a final score of 3-1.
Northwestern's opponent will be either second-seeded Rutgers or third-seeded Maryland depending on the result of Friday afternoon's semifinal. The Big Ten Tournament Championship will be broadcast from Ann Arbor on Big Ten Network.