Conshohocken, Pa. - Closing its season-opening road stretch, the No.1 Northwestern field hockey team (8-0) took its sixth shutout on the year with a 5-0 win at Villanova (1-6) on Sunday afternoon.
Behind the offensive efforts of Ilse Tromp and Piper Borz, both taking two goals, and Maddie Zimmer with one goal, the Wildcats came out on top. Improving to 8-0 in the 2025 season, Northwestern took its 42nd consecutive regular-season victory.
To start the game, Northwestern saw a quick penalty corner in the second minute, where Ashley Sessa inserted. Zimmer took the stop and passed it to Tromp, who cashed in the goal, her seventh of the season and fifth of the weekend. Goalkeeper Juliana Boon notched back-to-back saves in the fifth minute to keep Nova off the board.
The second quarter got off to a slow start, with only two shots through 13 minutes. To close the first half, NU got two penalty corners. Sessa and Aerin Krys set Tromp up, where she notched her second goal of the day. The 'Cats headed into the break leading 2-0.
Northwestern opened the second half with four penalty corners. Staying close to the attack, Zimmer used a crafty backhand and her speed to put away her first goal of the season. In the 36th minute, the 'Cats took another three penalty corners. Off a rebound, Borz notched her second goal of the season, pushing NU to a 4-0 lead.
In the 48th minute, Sessa found Borz near the cage, extending the 'Cats' advantage to 5-0. It was the second goal of the day for Borz, and her first time accomplishing a multi-goal game since Oct. 20, 2024. NU took two more shots on the day, and Boon saved three from Nova to keep the host scoreless.
Northwestern Notables
- With five saves from Boon on Sunday, and 23 total, the redshirt first-year now has a goals allowed average of .025.
- On the offensive side, Tromp takes the lead for the 2025 'Cats in points (16) and goals (8).
- Krys' assist made the Villanova game her ninth straight in which she scored a point.
- NU has outscored its opponents 26-2 so far this season.
- Northwestern now leads the head-to-head against Villanova, 2-1-1. The Sunday afternoon matchup was the first meeting between NU and Nova in 25 years.
- The 'Cats led the field in shots (28-8), shots on goal (12-5), and corners (16-4).
Northwestern begins Big Ten play in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 26. Hosting the Indiana Hoosiers at 3 p.m. CT, the 'Cats will play at Lakeside Field for the first time this season, streaming on B1G+.
Behind the offensive efforts of Ilse Tromp and Piper Borz, both taking two goals, and Maddie Zimmer with one goal, the Wildcats came out on top. Improving to 8-0 in the 2025 season, Northwestern took its 42nd consecutive regular-season victory.
Victory at Villanova! ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) September 21, 2025
NU wins 5-0 for the 6th ?????????????? of the season and 8th ?? ??? pic.twitter.com/djbJ5siJIw
To start the game, Northwestern saw a quick penalty corner in the second minute, where Ashley Sessa inserted. Zimmer took the stop and passed it to Tromp, who cashed in the goal, her seventh of the season and fifth of the weekend. Goalkeeper Juliana Boon notched back-to-back saves in the fifth minute to keep Nova off the board.
The second quarter got off to a slow start, with only two shots through 13 minutes. To close the first half, NU got two penalty corners. Sessa and Aerin Krys set Tromp up, where she notched her second goal of the day. The 'Cats headed into the break leading 2-0.
Northwestern opened the second half with four penalty corners. Staying close to the attack, Zimmer used a crafty backhand and her speed to put away her first goal of the season. In the 36th minute, the 'Cats took another three penalty corners. Off a rebound, Borz notched her second goal of the season, pushing NU to a 4-0 lead.
In the 48th minute, Sessa found Borz near the cage, extending the 'Cats' advantage to 5-0. It was the second goal of the day for Borz, and her first time accomplishing a multi-goal game since Oct. 20, 2024. NU took two more shots on the day, and Boon saved three from Nova to keep the host scoreless.
Northwestern Notables
- With five saves from Boon on Sunday, and 23 total, the redshirt first-year now has a goals allowed average of .025.
- On the offensive side, Tromp takes the lead for the 2025 'Cats in points (16) and goals (8).
- Krys' assist made the Villanova game her ninth straight in which she scored a point.
- NU has outscored its opponents 26-2 so far this season.
- Northwestern now leads the head-to-head against Villanova, 2-1-1. The Sunday afternoon matchup was the first meeting between NU and Nova in 25 years.
- The 'Cats led the field in shots (28-8), shots on goal (12-5), and corners (16-4).
Northwestern begins Big Ten play in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 26. Hosting the Indiana Hoosiers at 3 p.m. CT, the 'Cats will play at Lakeside Field for the first time this season, streaming on B1G+.