The 2023 DI field hockey national final is all set to go down, and it’s going to be a rematch of last year’s championship. No. 1 seed UNC is going head-to-head with No. 2 seed Northwestern. The game is scheduled to be aired on ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Last year’s championship was a real nail-biter, with Northwestern tying the score 1-1 with less than two minutes remaining. However, UNC’s Erin Matson scored the game-winner just 39 seconds later, securing UNC’s fourth national title in five years.
Both teams have seen significant changes since their last clash. Let’s take a look at their last meeting and see what each team brings to the table.
Northwestern’s freshmen Olivia Bent-Cole and Ilse Tromp have been game-changers for the Wildcats, stepping up in place of last year’s top scorer, Kayla Blas. Alongside grad student Peyton Halsey, the trio has scored a total of 33 goals this season, leading Northwestern to the top of the nation in scoring margin. On the other hand, UNC has had to fill the void left by midfielder Meredith Sholder and leading scorer Erin Matson. With freshmen Charly Bruder and Sanne Hak, along with sophomore Ryleigh Heck, leading the scoring for the Tar Heels, the team has shown resilience and maturity.
Looking back at last year’s championship, UNC out-shot NU 15-2 and out-cornered the Wildcats 5-1. If this year’s game is anything like last year’s, we can expect an intense battle between these two powerhouse teams.
In the semifinals, Northwestern outlasted Duke in a thrilling match, while UNC secured their spot in the final by defeating Virginia. Both teams are hungry for victory, and it’s going to be an epic showdown on the field.
The championship history shows the dominance of both UNC and Northwestern in the DI field hockey championship. With the stage set for another thrilling encounter, fans can expect an exhilarating game between these two top-tier teams.