Northwestern Captures NCAA Field Hockey Championship

Photo courtesy of Northwestern Athletics

DURHAM, N.C. – For the third time in five years, Northwestern has secured a national title in field hockey after defeating Princeton, 2-1, in double overtime in the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship Game held at Jack Katz Stadium. Northwestern (22-1) defended its national title and won its third overall under Head Coach Tracey Fuchs.

All three goals on Sunday were scored off penalty corners. After 43 scoreless minutes, third-ranked Princeton (18-4) struck on Beth Yeager’s shot with the third quarter winding down. Northwestern answered with 10:10 left in regulation when Kate Janssen redirected a slip pass from Ilse Tromp.

Tromp provided the game-winner just 14 seconds into the second overtime as she lifted a shot from arc into the cage. Tromp’s goal completed the second come-from-behind win of the weekend for the second-ranked Wildcats, who rallied from two goals down against top-ranked North Carolina on Friday in the semifinals.

Northwestern, which was making its fifth-straight appearance in the finals, also avenged its only loss of the season, a home setback to the Princeton Tigers on Columbus Day.

Tromp and teammates Maddie Zimmer, Ashley Sessa and Juliana Boon were chosen to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Zimmer was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, wrapping up her career with a third national title.

Northwestern’s victory is the 13th field hockey title for a Big Ten institution.