After defeating three top-20 teams in their last four games, the Wildcats have taken on a ranking of their own, debuting at the No. 15 spot, the first time they have been ranked this season.

NU (7-2) struggled against top teams earlier this season, dropping consecutive games to No. 17 Albany and No. 3 Maryland, but the Cats quickly reversed course, beginning with their 2-1 victory over No. 8 American. Then, this past weekend, NU put forth its best performance yet, defeating No. 11 California and No. 18 Virginia. Last year, the Cats went just 1-7 against ranked teams.

The success from last weekend resulted in individual awards as well as a team ranking. Junior Chelsea Armstrong was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, after recording a hat trick against Virginia and scoring five goals over the course of the weekend. Maddy Carpenter received Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, after recording six saves in the two victories.

– Jonah Rosenblum