The historic season for the No. 12 ranked Yale field hockey team concluded on March 15, 2024, as they faced a tough defeat against the No. 2 Northwestern Wildcats. The match took place at Virginia’s Turf Field during the first round of the NCAA tournament, where Yale lost 5-1 to the defending national champions.
Yale’s season ended with a record of 12–6 overall, including a 4–3 mark in the Ivy League. In contrast, Northwestern improved to 19–1, dominating the Big Ten with an 8–0 record. Following their victory over Yale, the Wildcats progressed to the NCAA semifinals after defeating Miami University, which concluded its season at 16–5.
In the early stages of the match, the Bulldogs showcased resilience. First-year goalkeeper Amelie Schwarzkopf made a crucial save on Northwestern’s only shot on goal during the first quarter, keeping the score level at 0-0. However, just over two minutes before halftime, Northwestern found the back of the net with a deflected goal in transition, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
The Wildcats extended their advantage midway through the third quarter. A penalty corner resulted in a goal after Schwarzkopf made an initial diving stop. Northwestern’s third goal came at 52:45, capitalizing on a turnover in Yale’s defensive zone.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Bulldogs continued to battle and were rewarded with a goal late in the fourth quarter. On a penalty corner, junior forward Tabs Collier inserted the ball and deftly deflected a shot from junior back Hettie Whittington, marking Collier’s first career goal and cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The game concluded with two late goals from Northwestern, finalizing the score at 5-1. Schwarzkopf matched her season high with nine saves, while Whittington ended the season leading the team with 27 points, comprising nine goals and nine assists.
Yale’s 12 victories this season tie for the third-most in program history, trailing only the 1998 and 1995 teams, which recorded 15 and 13 wins, respectively. This season marked a significant achievement as the Bulldogs reached both the Ivy League and NCAA Tournaments for the first time in their history. Furthermore, they became only the second team to score against Northwestern in the Wildcats’ last five games.
Notably, Northwestern’s coaching staff includes Georgia Holland, an associate head coach and a two-time unanimous first team All-Ivy selection who captained Yale. Holland was a key member of the Bulldogs’ 2011 Ivy League Championship team and is recognized as one of the program’s most celebrated alumnae.
As the Bulldogs reflect on a season filled with milestones, the experience gained will undoubtedly serve them well in future competitions.
