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Big Ten CommunicationsPublished: 11/21/2025, Last updated: 11/21/2025
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Northwestern Downs North Carolina To Reach NCAA Final

Northwestern to meet Princeton on Sunday in NCAA Championship Game

Photo courtesy of Northwestern Athletics

DURHAM, N.C. – Northwestern rallied from a two-goal deficit (twice) to upend No. 1 seed North Carolina, 4-3, in overtime in the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Semifinals Friday afternoon. The result marked the largest comeback in the NCAA semifinals since 2011.  

Northwestern (21-1) will meet No. 2 seed Princeton (18-3) in the NCAA Championship Game Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPNU.

The second-ranked Wildcats trailed 2-0 after the first quarter and didn’t pull even until 1:10 was left in regulation when Ilse Tromp scored on a penalty corner off a pass from Maddie Zimmer. Grace Shulze was credited with the game-winner 9:23 into overtime after her crossing pass was deflected into the cage by a UNC defender.

NU, which is making its fifth-straight appearance in the NCAA Final, looks to defend its national title on Sunday in the quest for a third championship overall.

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