Following a historic season and an NCAA Division I Championship, Northwestern field hockey is gearing up for a repeat in the 2022 season. Led by redshirt senior forward Bente Baekers, the squad returns most of its players this fall.

Additionally, coach Tracey Fuchs will return as the leader of the Wildcats after signing a multi-year contract extension in February. Fuchs will be entering her 14th season in the fall.

NU’s history-making success last season came from a dominant presence across the field. Baekers led the team with 18 goals and also tallied nine assists, challenging opposing teams on their defense.

Junior midfielder Maddie Zimmer and senior midfielder Alia Marshall represented the U.S. in the 2022 Pan American Cups following their victorious 2021 season. With these three players returning to Lakeside Field for the Cats, their upcoming opponents will face adversity all around the turf.

Despite falling short on claiming a Big Ten title last season, NU’s retribution in the NCAA Tournament foreshadowed a new dynasty in the making. The purple and white shut out Liberty with ease to take home the program’s first national championship.

Many of the Cats’ central role players are underclassmen, so the team has the potential to be a top contender for years to come. NU’s dominance last season places the squad in a position to bring home a Big Ten Championship and make a second-consecutive NCAA tournament run. 

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @sswann301

Related Stories: 

— Field Hockey: Tracey Fuchs discusses Northwestern’s first field hockey national championship

— Field Hockey: Northwestern shuts out Liberty 2-0 for program’s first championship

— Carroll: Northwestern field hockey’s national championship is culmination of years of growth