Three years after hoisting their first national title in program history, Northwestern University field hockey returned to glory by defeating St. Joe’s in the NCAA National Championship, 5-0. It didn’t take long for Northwestern to assert its dominance last Sunday, controlling the pace and possession early. The Wildcats got out to a wicked fast start, scoring two goals in the first 12 minutes of play. Before St. Joe’s had a chance to rally in the second quarter, Senior Maddie Zimmer and Sophomore Ilse Tromp each scored their second goals of the day, tallying the score up to 5-0 by half.
Supported by the Northwestern faithful donning beanies and hand warmers on a 38-degree Michigan day, the Wildcats were never out of control the rest of the game. St. Joe’s attacked, but nothing was strong enough to find a hole in the Northwestern defense and goalie Annabel Skubisz. This year’s national championship is the second in Northwestern history and tied the record for the largest goal differential in NCAA championship history. Northwestern’s history-making run was not only fueled by previous experiences in the Final Four but through the building of a championship culture.
Building of a Dynasty
Northwestern’s dominance was no surprise. The Wildcats were firing on all cylinders all season, finishing the year with only one loss. With perennial power UNC losing in the semi-finals, field hockey fans knew that the Wildcats would be the favorites coming into the title game.
But, this hasn’t come out of nowhere. “Tracey and the staff have been laying the groundwork for this type of program for a while now,” Zimmer says. Head Coach Tracey Fuchs took over the program in 2009. Focusing on recruiting the right players, she earned herself a Big Ten Championship only four seasons later. After straight years of success, Northwestern suffered a losing record in 2018 and early exits from the Big 10 and NCAA tournaments in 2019. When all hope seemed to be lost, Fuchs relied on her players and team culture to re-elevate the program back to its standard.
In 2020, Northwestern brought in its best class to date with notable stars Zimmer and senior goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz. “I committed to Northwestern knowing what this team would be capable of, with the staff and the players,” Skubisz says, who posted her 37th career shutout in the title game. Building a championship program takes years of consistency, both with training and finding the right recruits. Having experienced players like Skubisz who bought into the mentality of Wildcat Hockey – selfless, team-oriented, and togetherness – was essential for creating an unbreakable team culture.
“This team was special. They came out and they played every game like it was their last and didn’t take anyone lightly.”
Team Culture on Full Display
After the game, Fuchs, Zimmer, and Skubisz gave all credit to the team culture for helping them bounce back after the previous two seasons. “To go to a double shootout, sudden death last year and lose it doesn’t leave a good taste in anybody’s mouth,” Fuchs said about the 2023 season’s ending.
The Wildcats let last year’s heartbreak fuel this year’s redemption tour. Fuchs credited Northwestern’s team culture and mentality for what enabled them to triumph over adversity. “This team was special. They came out and they played every game like it was their last and didn’t take anyone lightly,” Fuchs said. Zimmer echoed the same sentiments when asked about the journey it took for Northwestern to reach this point. “That’s a testament to the type of culture we’ve built…and the type of people we recruit here,” she said.
What Is This “Type of Culture?”
It’s the intangibles and the characteristics you don’t see on the field that really add up and make a difference. “We talk about it on the field, off the field: the accountability, the unity, the relentlessness. I have really great leaders across the board, so when the first years come in, they’re immediately accepted,” Fuchs told the Daily Northwestern.
After the game, Skubisz explained that there are sub-cultures within the team as well. “The defensive culture is very collaborative and very direct, which is why we are able to get things done very effectively,” Skubisz said. Having individually talented players is important, but developing a culture focused on collaboration allows Northwestern to maximize each player’s skills together. This selflessness and trust in each other allows the Wildcats to gain an even greater team outcome.
Healthy team cultures are hard to come by, but Northwestern has cultivated one that lets greatness flourish. The Wildcats run like a well-oiled machine, where each part of the team works together to build up the program. And now, this program has finally returned to its championship glory.
