Wildcats improve to 11-0 behind Nemeth’s first career two-goal game and Boon’s eighth shutout of the season
Northwestern (11-0, 2-0 Big Ten) earned its first conference road victory of the season and extended its winning streak against Ohio State to seven games. The Buckeyes fell to 4-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
The Wildcats have overwhelmed opponents during their latest three-game stretch, following a 7-0 victory at UC Davis and a 6-0 win over Michigan State with another five-goal performance.
Nemeth led the attack with two goals, doubling her career total in one afternoon. Ashley Sessa, Jess Freedman and Raquel Hofmeister also scored as Northwestern put 13 of its 18 shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Juliana Boon made three saves for her eighth shutout of the season.
Sessa opened the scoring off a penalty corner, redirecting an Olivia Bent-Cole shot into the net for her eighth goal of the season. The goal moved Sessa into a tie with Tromp for the team lead.
Just 90 seconds later, Laura Salamanca delivered a centering pass to Nemeth, who finished for a 2-0 advantage.
Nemeth has now scored in consecutive games after snapping a scoring drought dating to October 2024.
The Wildcats struck again in the second quarter. Tromp moved the ball forward to Kiera Sack, who found Freedman for a finish in the 22nd minute and a 3-0 Northwestern lead.
Northwestern carried that advantage into halftime after outshooting Ohio State 9-2 and preventing the Buckeyes from earning a penalty corner during the opening half.
Ohio State tried to generate momentum immediately after halftime, earning consecutive penalty corners, but Northwestern's defense and Boon turned away both opportunities.
Nemeth delivered again in the 36th minute, finding open space and converting a feed from Krys for her second goal and a 4-0 lead.
Northwestern quickly added another. On the ensuing sequence, Sessa worked past two defenders to help create an opportunity for Hofmeister, who finished for her second career goal and pushed the margin to 5-0.
Ohio State goalkeepers Maddie Stevens and Avery Alleva combined for eight saves, but the Buckeyes could not slow a Northwestern attack that has scored 18 goals over its past three games while allowing none.
The Wildcats have now posted three consecutive shutouts while strengthening an unbeaten start that has carried them to the No. 1 national ranking.
Northwestern faces a quick turnaround with another Big Ten road test against No. 15 Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 4, in Ann Arbor. The match is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and will stream on B1G+.
======
-- By James A. Wright
Leticia Jacobs contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
