No. 2-seed Maryland field hockey has rarely looked outmatched during the 2026 season. On Sunday in the Big Ten Tournament final against No. 1-seed Northwestern, the Terps never found their rhythm, falling to the Wildcats, 3-0.
The three-goal defeat was Maryland’s largest since 2023.
It was an even first quarter, as both teams kept the contest scoreless by utilizing pressure to contain breakouts from the opposition. Maryland had a strong chance halfway through the period with a penalty corner, but Northwestern
goalie Juliana Boon – fresh off a career-high eight saves in the semifinals – handled the shot from Francisca Eschoyez.
After a quiet first quarter, Northwestern sprinted out of the gates in the second frame. Not even three minutes in, Raquel Hofmeister dodged a defender, walked the goal-line tightrope and found Big Ten Player of the Year Ashley Sessa, who swiped the ball into a wide-open net to put the top-seed ahead. The goal put Maryland behind for only the third time all season.
Northwestern stayed relentless following the goal, forcing Maryland into mistakes and earning plenty of opportunities within the shooting circle. However, the Terps remained steady, stopping the Wildcats’ first two penalty corners of the match.
Northwestern was shorthanded on its attack penalty corners on Sunday, as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ilse Tromp missed her third straight game. Tromp is Northwestern’s primary drag flicker, so the Wildcats had to adjust yet again. Early on, the adjustments weren’t enough.
Maryland picked up the intensity late in the half, but Boon was not fazed. The junior keeper was terrific in the first half, as she picked up six saves. She robbed Aida Ierubino on the goalmouth twice to keep her squad up a tally entering the halftime break. She finished with seven saves for the game.
Exiting halftime, Maryland needed a spark to get back in the game. Instead, Northwestern widened the lead. On the Wildcats’ third penalty corner in the opening few minutes of the third frame, Olivia Bent-Cole’s shot was tipped to the back of the net by Sessa. Sunday marked Sessa’s fourth multi-goal outing of the season.
Both teams entered among the best in the nation when it comes to generating corners, but it was all Northwestern on Sunday, as the Wildcats obtained seven corners – and two goals – to the Terps’ two. It was a startling departure from normal for the Terps, who earned 10 corners on Friday in the semifinals.
As the third quarter progressed, Northwestern remained in control. Even though the Terps still outnumbered the Wildcats in the shot department, Northwestern prevented Maryland from establishing sustained possessions.
The Wildcats also created better opportunities than the Terps. If not for Maryland goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko, who made four saves in the quarter and seven for the game, Northwestern could’ve stretched the lead even further.
Northwestern iced the cake 30 seconds into the final frame, as Jessica Freedman poked a rebound past Klebasko. From there on out, the Wildcats danced their way to their second straight Big Ten Tournament championship.
Three things to know
1. Problems with the purple. Maryland has now lost to Northwestern eight straight times. The Terps haven’t beaten the Wildcats since Oct. 2, 2022.
2. Uncharted territory. Maryland was shut out for the first time all season today. The Terps also spent over 42 minutes trailing, their most in a game all year.
3. Home field in doubt? Maryland is unlikely to be the top seed in the national tournament because of its two losses to Northwestern. However, thanks to losses from UConn and Harvard in their respective conference tournaments, Maryland should be good enough to secure a top-four seed and home-field advantage for the first and second rounds. Regardless, it’s up to the selection committee, which releases the 18-team field tonight at 10 p.m. on NCAA.com.
