DURHAM, N.C. - Facing its first ranked foe of the season, the No. 1 Northwestern field hockey team (3-0) blanked No. 5 Duke (1-2) in Durham, N.C., 1-0. Friday's victory marked Northwestern's third straight shutout to open the 2025 season, marking the first time it has opened a new campaign with three consecutive clean sheets since 1989. Redshirt first-year goalkeeper Juliana Boon tallied four saves, while Ilse Tromp converted off a penalty corner to help see the 'Cats to victory.
Despite being outshot by a narrow 7-6 margin, Northwestern came out victorious, garnering its sixth straight win against Duke, and seventh consecutive in ACC/Big Ten Challenge competition.
Boon recorded her first save of the night in a first quarter that saw chances come at a premium at both ends. The sophomore tallied two more saves before the 'Cats took their fourth corner of the game. Ashley Sessa inserted, passing to Aerin Krys to set up Tromp for a goal with 20 seconds remaining in the period.
The second half was opened with another Boon save, followed by two blocked Duke corners to keep the Blue Devils scoreless. In the fourth quarter, the 'Cats were able to keep the Blue Devils at bay en route to sealing a 1-0 victory.
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— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) September 5, 2025
NU 1 | Duke 0 pic.twitter.com/tdoqLEPXOn
With the shutout, Northwestern improved to 3-0 on the 2025 season, notching a top-five road win. The 'Cats offense was led by Tromp with three shots and one goal. Maddie Zimmer, Grace Schulze and Maja Zivojnovic took one shot apiece. Boon's made a season-high four saves en route to posting her third shutout in as many games.
Northwestern now leads the all-time series against Duke, 9-8.. The 'Cats now boast a 40-2 record (.952 winning percentage) in regular season non-conference play since 2021.
Northwestern returns for another ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup on Sunday, Sept. 7, facing No. 8 Boston College in Durham, N.C. The 11 a.m. CT matchup will be broadcast on ACC Network.