The Big Ten continues to shine on the national landscape with five teams featured in the latest rankings, headlined by the nation's top two undefeated programs in No. 1 Northwestern and No. 2 Maryland. Both unbeatens face ranked foes on Friday in a pair of matchups that carry massive weight for the conference standings, especially with the 2026 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament Presented by Allstate only a month away.
Iowa vs. Northwestern
No. 1 Northwestern (12-0) returns to Lakeside Field for a top-10 clash against No. 6 Iowa, and if this season is any indication, expect a high-scoring affair. The Hawkeyes (45 goals) and Wildcats (43 goals) boast the Big Ten’s top two scoring attacks, setting the stage for an explosive Friday battle.
Four of the Big Ten’s top-five goal scorers will be on the same field in Evanston. The back-to-back defending champion Wildcats continue to roll behind a prolific attack with both Ashley Sessa and Ilse Tromp scoring nine goals each. Last time out against No. 15 Michigan, Sessa tallied a hat trick and assist (earning her NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week honors) as the Wildcats posted their fourth consecutive contest scoring five or more goals.
Somehow, Iowa has two finishers with more goals than the Northwestern star duo: Fréderique van Cleef is tied for first in the nation with 16 goals, with Dionne van Aalsum right behind her with 14, making the Hawkeye pair the two leading scorers in the Big Ten.
With offenses this good, the top-10 clash will come down to the goalies. Northwestern’s Juliana Boon, who has allowed just five goals this season, will be counted on to slow down a prolific Iowa attack with some of the nation’s best attackers. On the other side, Julia Claessens has a 4-0 record and .758 save percentage, but this is her toughest test yet.
It’s a clash of not only two Big Ten favorites, but two national championship contenders. View the match on the Lakeside at 4 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Maryland vs. Michigan
After a non-conference win over Delaware, No. 2 Maryland improved to 11-0 for the seventh time in program history. Now, conference play resumes as the Terps head to Ann Arbor to face No. 19 Michigan.
Maryland is firing on all cylinders this season, averaging 3.45 goals per game while ranking second in the conference with a 2.72 goal margin per game. The Terrapins offense is led by Francisca Eschoyez, who is sixth in the conference with eight goals. Eschoyez and Babs Van Hest, who is right behind her with six, now face a Wolverines team that has given up 15 goals this year.
The Wolverines have lost three straight entering the matchup, but defeating the Terps would get them back in the win column in statement fashion. Michigan has scored only two goals in those three losses; Juliette Manzur, Eva Bernardy and Kelsey Reviello will be counted on to get shots on Maryland goalie Alyssa Klebasko, who has allowed eight goals in 10 games.
This battle of contenders is set up to send major shockwaves through the conference. Tune in at 4 p.m. ET on B1G+.
There’s more to look forward to this weekend, including both the Wildcats and Wolverines playing ranked non-conference matchups on Sunday. Northwestern heads to New Jersey to play No. 10 Princeton and Michigan hosts a New Jersey squad in No. 18 Monmouth.
Check out the full schedule here.
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