Top-seeded Northwestern opens its NCAA Tournament run Friday against Saint Joseph’s in a rematch of the 2024 national championship, which the Wildcats won 5-0. Northwestern is aiming for a third consecutive national title; the Hawks advanced with a shootout win over Vermont.

By the Numbers
  • Northwestern: 18-2 overall; 7-1 in the Big Ten.
  • Saint Joseph’s: 12-9 overall; 6-0 in the Atlantic 10.
  • Northwestern has won eight straight NCAA Tournament games and is 11-4 in first-round games.
  • The Wildcats have won national titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025.
Yes, But

Northwestern is the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed and has championship momentum, but Saint Joseph’s arrives after surviving a shootout and has won six consecutive Atlantic 10 tournament titles. The teams have met only once, in the 2024 championship game.

State of Play
  • The first-round game is Friday, Nov. 13, at noon CT at Lakeside Field in Evanston; ESPN+ will stream it.
  • The winner advances to Sunday’s quarterfinals against the winner of North Carolina–Miami (Ohio).
  • Northwestern senior Ashley Sessa was named Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player; goalkeeper Juliana Boon helped the Wildcats allow no goals in the tournament.
What's Next

Friday’s winner moves on to the quarterfinals Sunday at 1 p.m. CT, continuing the path toward the national championship.

Bottom Line

Northwestern’s title defense starts with a familiar opponent—but Saint Joseph’s arrives battle-tested, making the opener a meaningful early test of the Wildcats’ three-peat bid.