EAST LANSING, Mich. - Behind a record performance from Ashley Sessa, the No. 2 Northwestern field hockey team closed its regular season with a 5-0 shutout victory at Michigan State on Friday afternoon. The junior forward became the fifth-ever Wildcat to collect four goals in a game, as NU posted its 11th clean sheet of the season, and wrapped conference play undefeated.
Sophomore Kate Janssen pitched in with her first goal at Northwestern (16-1, 8-0 Big Ten), as the 'Cats kept control at Michigan State (5-12, 1-7 Big Ten).
The first quarter featured two Northwestern penalty corners, but little offensive action by either squad. The Wildcats got off two shots on goal, both saved by Spartan goalkeeper Lyra Gavino.
In the 21st minute, NU's offense attacked the cage, as Aerin Krys took a shot, connected by Sessa to score. The junior's 15th goal of the season got Northwestern on the board, the fifth shot of the day.
On the Wildcats' fifth penalty corner of the half, Maja Zivojnovic fired the ball to Sessa, who deflected it into the back of the goal. Her second goal in six minutes gave NU a 2-0 lead headed into the break. The two-goal quarter was run by the 'Cats, as the NU defense shut out Michigan State, giving up zero shots in the first half.
Earning an early penalty corner in the third quarter, Maddie Zimmer took a shot in the 34th minute, saved by Gavino. Janssen persisted for the second attempt, which passed two Spartans to score her first goal as a Wildcat. The sophomore midfielder pushed the NU lead to 3-0 with her third career goal, becoming the 11th 'Cat to score this season.
Sophomore Laura Salamanca set Sessa up in the 46th minute, which the junior forward cashed in for her third goal of the day. With a 4-0 Northwestern lead, the Spartans took their first shot at the 46:50 mark, but the penalty corner goal attempt was saved by Juliana Boon.
The Wildcats collected their 10th penalty corner, which resulted in a penalty stroke for Sessa, the second of the season for NU. The junior shot on the right side of Gavino, tallying her fourth goal of the game. Sessa became the first Wildcat since Bente Baekers to log four goals in a game (vs. Maine, Aug. 28, 2022). The forward established a new career-high for herself, while also joining elite NU company, now tied to lead program history in single-game goals.
The clock ran out to close the regular season, as the 'Cats won 5-0.
Northwestern outshot the Spartans 23-2, with 15 shots on goal to MSU's one. Gavino, who leads the conference in saves per game (6.27), notched 10 saves, her fifth game of the season, posting double-digits.
Sessa now has 51 points scored this season, just three shy of Iowa's Dionne van Aalsum, who leads the conference in goals and points.
Northwestern has now won 14 consecutive competitions against Michigan State. The 'Cats also accomplished their 29th-straight Big Ten regular-season victory, dating back to 2022.
After claiming the conference crown last weekend, NU earned the No. 1 tournament seed for the 2025 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. With a first-round bye, the Wildcats will face the winner of Game 1 on Friday, Nov. 7, at noon CT. The semifinal matchup will be aired on Big Ten Network.
Sophomore Kate Janssen pitched in with her first goal at Northwestern (16-1, 8-0 Big Ten), as the 'Cats kept control at Michigan State (5-12, 1-7 Big Ten).
Shut out the Spartans ??
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 31, 2025
'Cats close the regular-season, ??-?? in Big Ten play, with a 5-0 Halloween win?? pic.twitter.com/ZYbLfnyHjZ
The first quarter featured two Northwestern penalty corners, but little offensive action by either squad. The Wildcats got off two shots on goal, both saved by Spartan goalkeeper Lyra Gavino.
In the 21st minute, NU's offense attacked the cage, as Aerin Krys took a shot, connected by Sessa to score. The junior's 15th goal of the season got Northwestern on the board, the fifth shot of the day.
On the Wildcats' fifth penalty corner of the half, Maja Zivojnovic fired the ball to Sessa, who deflected it into the back of the goal. Her second goal in six minutes gave NU a 2-0 lead headed into the break. The two-goal quarter was run by the 'Cats, as the NU defense shut out Michigan State, giving up zero shots in the first half.
Earning an early penalty corner in the third quarter, Maddie Zimmer took a shot in the 34th minute, saved by Gavino. Janssen persisted for the second attempt, which passed two Spartans to score her first goal as a Wildcat. The sophomore midfielder pushed the NU lead to 3-0 with her third career goal, becoming the 11th 'Cat to score this season.
Sophomore Laura Salamanca set Sessa up in the 46th minute, which the junior forward cashed in for her third goal of the day. With a 4-0 Northwestern lead, the Spartans took their first shot at the 46:50 mark, but the penalty corner goal attempt was saved by Juliana Boon.
The Wildcats collected their 10th penalty corner, which resulted in a penalty stroke for Sessa, the second of the season for NU. The junior shot on the right side of Gavino, tallying her fourth goal of the game. Sessa became the first Wildcat since Bente Baekers to log four goals in a game (vs. Maine, Aug. 28, 2022). The forward established a new career-high for herself, while also joining elite NU company, now tied to lead program history in single-game goals.
The clock ran out to close the regular season, as the 'Cats won 5-0.
Northwestern outshot the Spartans 23-2, with 15 shots on goal to MSU's one. Gavino, who leads the conference in saves per game (6.27), notched 10 saves, her fifth game of the season, posting double-digits.
Sessa now has 51 points scored this season, just three shy of Iowa's Dionne van Aalsum, who leads the conference in goals and points.
Northwestern has now won 14 consecutive competitions against Michigan State. The 'Cats also accomplished their 29th-straight Big Ten regular-season victory, dating back to 2022.
After claiming the conference crown last weekend, NU earned the No. 1 tournament seed for the 2025 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. With a first-round bye, the Wildcats will face the winner of Game 1 on Friday, Nov. 7, at noon CT. The semifinal matchup will be aired on Big Ten Network.