EAST LANSING, Mich. – The top-ranked Northwestern Wildcats secured a historic milestone on Sunday, clinching their second consecutive outright Big Ten regular-season title for the first time in program history with a commanding 5-0 victory over Michigan State.
It’s All Ours ?? #EarnIt pic.twitter.com/vsPEUsGpPM
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 27, 2024
Following a scoreless first half, Northwestern unleashed a second-half offensive barrage, netting five goals to seal the win. The Wildcats, who have now posted 11 shutouts in 17 games this season, outshot the Spartans 43-4, including a staggering 22-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The breakthrough came early in the third quarter when Regan Cornelius scored her first goal of the season off a rebound, igniting the scoring spree. Elaine Velthuizen followed with her first career goal on a deflection, assisted by Cornelius, while Ashley Sessa added another to close out the third quarter with a 3-0 lead.
Corner ?? Goal pic.twitter.com/N912TreoHT
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) October 27, 2024
Northwestern continued its dominance in the fourth quarter with Maddie Zimmer (assisted by Lauren Hunter and Sessa) and Ilse Tromp (assisted by Zimmer and Sessa) adding insurance goals to secure the 5-0 victory.
Goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz anchored the defensive effort, making two saves to preserve her tenth shutout in Big Ten play over the past two seasons, a feat unmatched since Iowa in 1992-93. Skubisz now boasts a stellar 0.48 goals-against average.
This marks the sixth time this season the Wildcats have scored five or more goals in a match, further underscoring their offensive firepower.
Northwestern returns to Lakeside Field on Friday at 3 p.m. to host Ohio State in their regular-season finale before entering the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed on Nov. 8 at noon CT.
