Northwestern Wildcats pulled off a stunning 4-3 overtime victory against sixth‑ranked Duke in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, turning a halftime stalemate into a dramatic finish that highlighted the team's resilience.
Game Flow
The decisive moment came from freshman Sol Martinez of Uruguay, whose golden goal in overtime not only secured the win but also marked her first collegiate tally; the Uruguayan, a three‑time national champion and member of the 2026 New Zealand senior squad, had entered the match as a newcomer to college hockey.
Ashley Sessa opened the scoring with a strike in the 10th minute, only for Duke to answer a minute later, leaving the teams level at 1-1 at the break.
In the fourth period, Ilse Tromp added two goals, the first assisted by Olivia Bent‑Cole and Sessa, which knotted the score at 3‑3 and forced the game into a scoreless third period and eventual overtime.
Overtime saw Martinez receive a pass from Piper Borz and fire the winning shot, capping a comeback that underscored the Wildcats' depth and poise under pressure.
The triumph represents Northwestern’s first top‑10 win of the season, following earlier victories over VCU and Lafayette, and sets the stage for a continued perfect record as the Wildcats prepare to face Boston College on Sunday.