After a heartbreaking defeat in New Jersey, Northwestern field hockey has its feet under itself once again. A dominant win over No. 11 Indiana is the “get-right game” that Tracey Fuchs and friends needed this deep into the season.
In Bloomington, NU put on a clinic on both sides of the ball: bottlenecking defense in the midfield, passing crisply and taking the initiative to set itself up for good looks at the cage. They had seven of them, and cashed in on four.
It was probably one of the most efficient
games we’ve seen out of the Wildcats in 2026. Let’s break it down.
Confident offense
Northwestern’s attack a week ago was an all-out blitz with the aggressiveness turned up to a 10 from the opening minutes, making a circle entry within the first two minutes of the game. Although NU came up empty handed, not even getting a shot off on the possession, it was a telltale sign that the theme of the game was going to be pushing the pace.
On the box score, the Wildcats only drew six penalty corners — a stat that contradicts what a fast-paced Northwestern attack usually looks like. Credit to a disciplined Indiana defense on that front. But the reason this game ended in a decisive Northwestern win was because nearly every IU mistake was pounced upon by the ‘Cats.
Take this first penalty corner, for instance, where the Hoosiers are slow to get to Ilse Tromp at the top of the circle. Tromp doesn’t hesitate to rip her signature drag flick into the cage, seeing that she has more than enough time to shoot.
That was the tone setter, and Emilie Kirschner provided the cap on the effort, sneaking a pass through the IU defense to find Raquel Hofmeister on the back post for the final goal. For context, Indiana failed to clear a penalty corner shot just seconds before the ball ended up with Kirschner.
The Wildcats stepped on the gas all day and played field hockey with a level of conviction we hadn’t seen for a moment. A huge win, considering what’s on the horizon of their schedule.
Where are the holes?
Nowhere to be found in the NU defense. Over 90% of opponents possessions have gone by the wayside against one of the top defensive groups in the country.
Juliana Boon is near flawless in cage, but NU’s high line prevents most teams from even nearing the 25-yard line, let alone the circle. Her job as a goalkeeper might be one of the easiest you can possibly have in college sports. That’s how good the defense ahead of her has been.
IU had a shot on goal to start the first quarter on a penalty corner, but nothing was really there for the Hoosiers. On the insert, any shooter at the top of the circle immediately feels purple pressure in front of them, skewing their vision and making it near-impossible to find space for a quality shot.
Winning starts with smothering the opponent. NU has it down to a tee, and it bleeds right into how its offense surgically dismantles its opponent.
Weekly awards
Player of the Week: Ilse Tromp
The Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week did it on both ends of the field, as ‘Cats faithful has become accustomed to seeing.
Indiana had no answers on the penalty corner. For the first time in a long time, the Wildcats looked like themselves on their set pieces, moving the ball swiftly around the arc and making the Hoosiers’ defense miserable. Then on the other end, holding IU to four shots on goal, as hot as its been recently, is quite impressive. Turning turnovers into transition takes that lead to penalty corners is Tromp’s formula for getting into the scoresheet.
Unit of the Week: Front line
The next two go hand-in-hand. Northwestern’s forwards were aggressive. They were gritty. They pushed the pace with complete confidence. Every goal that was smashed off the boards was the result of the ‘Cats seeing an opportunity and attacking at full force.
A type of confidence that we hadn’t seen out of the ‘Cats in a while.
Play of the Week: Sessa’s backhand chip (again)
This shot has become a staple of this series, but it’s such a beauty. How do you stop this?
It’s almost impossible to. This thing is coming at you at about 60 miles per hour, if not more, from about 15 yards away.
You have two options on this shot.
- Get a glove on it. Rather, attempt to get a glove on it. To that, I say, good luck.
- Duck and cover. Wouldn’t blame you if you did.
Up next
Three games left on Northwestern’s schedule. The biggest one — and arguably, the biggest game of the season across the entire sport — commences in just a few short hours after this article’s release. No. 2 vs. No. 1.
No. 1 Maryland has shocked everyone. Everyone knew they’d be good. Nobody expected them to be this good. The last undefeated in Division I at 14-0, which includes wins over Duke, Wake Forest and Princeton. Beating Northwestern essentially guarantees the Terrapins a top-4 seed to host in the NCAA Tournament, assuming they aren’t upset as a No. 1 or No. 2-seed early on in the Big Ten Tournament.
The major reason for all of their success is Babs van Hest’s breakout season: she has eight goals and nine assists in her first season of collegiate field hockey after spending a few years in the Hoofdklasse, the top division of field hockey in the Netherlands. Maci Bradford and Francisca Eschoyes join her as the two other Terps with 20+ points on the season.
The ‘Cats have their hands full. This is the real test. Can this team compete for a title again, or is the championship window closing?
Thursday night’s matchup at Lakeside Field is set to commence at 7 p.m. CDT, streaming on Big Ten Network.
