The 2024 Northwestern field hockey ’Cats (13-0, 5-0 B1G) are sweeping the competition once again. The team has five games left on the docket before conference and national tournament play commences, and they have yet to lose a matchup. Their 13-game winning streak is the second-best season start for the ’Cats on record. But what makes them so dominant?

To start, their defense is phenomenal. Northwestern ranks first in the nation in shutouts this year, denying nine teams–including five ranked teams–the back of the net.

For a seven-game stretch in September, no Wildcat opponent managed to score, making it the longest shutout streak in program history. Graduate goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz has been a brick wall, boasting a save percentage of 88.5%, the best in the nation.

The ’Cats aren’t too shabby on offense, either: They rank sixth nationally in scoring margin, with 2.46, and eighth in goals per game, with three.

Leading Northwestern’s offensive charge are a trio of second-years, along with fourth-year midfielder Maddie Zimmer and graduate midfielder Lauren Wadas. Zimmer is back for a final season at Northwestern after taking an Olympic redshirt last year to train for this summer’s games with the national team. Second-year transfer forward Ashley Sessa–debuting for the ’Cats this year after her freshman season at North Carolina in 2022–also took an Olympic redshirt waiver last year.

The pair lead the Wildcats with a combined 19 goals, and Sessa has racked up a team-high eight assists. Second-year backer/midfielder Ilse Tromp has scored five goals–including three game-winners–and made four assists, while Wadas and second-year forward Olivia Bent-Cole have added four and five goals apiece.

Northwestern is ranked second in the nation behind North Carolina (10-0, 4-0 ACC), the only other undefeated team in the country as of now. The Tar Heels have bested the ’Cats in the past two national championship games. If both teams keep up their dominant seasons, a third straight matchup is likely.

Before the Wildcats shift their focus to Big Ten and NCAA tournament play in November, they will face unranked Stanford (5-7, 0-6 ACC) and UC Davis (2-8, 0-4 America East) at home, followed by three conference games.

An away game at No. 5 Michigan (10-1, 3-0 B1G) on Oct. 25 and a home matchup against No. 4 Ohio State (11-1, 2-1 B1G) on Nov. 1 are likely to present the biggest challenges for Northwestern. But with their deadly combination of lockdown defense and capable offense, no challenge is too great for the Wildcats.

Thumbnail photo by Meryl Li / North by Northwestern.