NU to Host No. 13 Michigan, No. 18 Ohio State

EVANSTON, Ill. – Returning to Lakeside Field, the No. 2 Northwestern subject hockey group (13-1, 5-0 Big Ten) might declare its third-straight Big Ten common season title this weekend. The Wildcats will host matchups in opposition to convention foes No. 13 Michigan (8-4, 3-2 Big Ten) and No. 18 Ohio State (7-6, 3-2 Big Ten) in Evanston, with an opportunity to clinch the common season championship.

NU takes on the Wolverines on Friday, Oct. 24, set for a 3 p.m. CT pass-back on the Big Ten Network. Two days later, the ‘Cats meet the Buckeyes on Sunday, Oct. 26, at midday CT on B1G+. Sunday’s sport may even honor the group’s senior student-athletes.

Scouting the Wolverines

NU holds a 37-35 all-time document in opposition to Michigan. The Wildcats and Wolverines have cut up the final 10 matchups, relationship again to 2019. Last yr, Northwestern gained each of its regular-season video games in opposition to the Wolverines however fell 1-0 in a well-matched battle within the Big Ten Tournament Championship on a third-quarter Michigan objective.

The Wolverines are coming off a bye week, having most lately performed Ohio State in Columbus. Before the 1-0 loss on the Buckeyes, Michigan bested Rutgers, 2-1, at residence.

Michigan goalkeeper Hala Silverstein is eleventh within the nation and second solely to Northwestern’s Juliana Boon within the Big Ten in objectives in opposition to common (1.00). As a group, the Wolverines’ protection is permitting the third-fewest objectives per sport (1.17) within the convention. 

On the offensive aspect, graduate pupil Abby Tamer (1.33 factors per sport) and junior Juliette Manzur (1.25 factors per sport) lead Michigan in particular person scoring and are within the prime 15 within the convention in factors.

Scouting the Buckeyes

The ‘Cats lead the all-time sequence in opposition to Ohio State 41-29-1. Winning every of the final 5 video games performed in opposition to the Buckeyes, NU has outscored OSU 14-6 within the course of. The final time they performed in 2024, the Wildcats took down Ohio State, 2-1, in Evanston.

Forward Makenna Webster leads the group with 17 objectives and 39 factors and is second within the Big Ten in objectives per sport (1.31) and factors per sport (3.00). Sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Stevens is seventh within the convention in save share (.702). 

Northwestern Notables

In its second ranked Big Ten street check of the weekend, Northwestern (13-1, 5-0 Big Ten) discovered its groove within the third quarter to return again and defeat No. 10 Maryland, 2-1. The Sunday matchup in opposition to the Terrapins (8-6, 4-3 Big Ten) felt a momentum shift after the break, because the Wildcats discovered their method on the board, and finally within the lead for his or her twenty fifth consecutive regular-season convention win.

Graduate pupil midfielder Maddie Zimmer posted the equalizer early within the third quarter with a penalty stroke, notching her fourth objective of the season. Nine minutes later, senior again Maja Zivojnovic put the ball away after a penalty nook try for the go-ahead objective. The senior has now scored in back-to-back video games for the second time in her profession (Sept. 22-24, 2024, Ohio State, Princeton).

With 48 saves by her first 14 collegiate begins, redshirt first-year ‘Cats goalkeeper Juliana Boon leads the nation in objectives in opposition to common (0.50). She has allowed simply seven objectives on the yr and is fourth within the nation in goalie win-loss share (0.923) and leads the NCAA in save share (0.873).

Three NU starters are within the prime 10 within the Big Ten in factors per sport: Ashley Sessa (No. 3 – 2.77 factors per sport), Ilse Tromp (No. 4 – 1.64), and Grace Schulze (No. 8 – 1.36). 

After claiming their second nationwide championship in 4 years and eighth Big Ten common season title in 2024, the ‘Cats stay up for assault their 2025 slate. Over half of Northwestern’s 2025 opponents appeared in NFHCA preseason rankings.

The 2025 captains for Northwestern are Greta Hinke, Aerin Krys, and Zimmer.

Boon and Sessa returned to the Big Ten weekly honor roll on Oct. 20, as they each introduced residence their respective accolades for the second time this season. Boon earned Freshman of the Week, whereas Sessa was tabbed for her fifth-ever Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor.

NFHCA Week Seven Ranking: No. 2. The Oct. 21 rating drops NU out of the highest spot for the primary time within the 2025 season. The ‘Cats reigned within the NFHCA ballot for seven straight polls, which had not been achieved by any group since 2022. While now No. 2, the ‘Cats are sharing first-place votes with No. 1 UNC.