No. 14 Cards Fall Short at No. 1 Northwestern

Friday, September 12

LOUISVILLE, KY

6:00 PM

University of Louisville

(3-2)

Northwestern

(5-0)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Northwestern	0	0	0	1	1	2
LOU	0	1	0	0	0	1

Tyler Everslage with the ball versus Indiana

September 11, 2026 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Tyler Everslage delivers a goal, Emily Young registers seven saves in Louisville’s first loss of the season

By: Lori Harmon

EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 14-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team fell 3-1 to top-ranked Northwestern Friday afternoon at Lakeside Field.

Senior Tyler Everslage registered her third goal of the season and senior Emily Young collected seven saves in the Cardinals' first loss of the 2026 campaign.

The Wildcats (5-0) struck early with a goal by Kiera Sack in the sixth minute of the contest. Sol Martinez added to the lead in the opening minutes of the second quarter.

The Cardinals (4-1) threatened late in the second quarter when Aubreigh Uba delivered pass to Lauren Masters who fired off a shot on goal with 26 seconds left in the frame, but Northwestern goalkeeper Juliana Boon turned it away.

Northwestern took a 2-0 lead into the half after holding an 11-3 lead in shots and a 4-1 edge in penalty corners. Young collected five stops in the first half.

NU tacked on another goal in the third quarter when Ilse Tromp converted on a penalty corner attempt to push the lead to 3-0.

The Cardinals found their offense in the fourth quarter, earning back-to-back corners before Everslage found the back of the cage with an assist from Lauren Masters with to make the score 3-1 with 4:05 left to play.

In the game, the teams were even with eight shots on goal with Northwestern owning a 18-10 advantage overall in shots and a 7-6 edge in penalty corners.

"Northwestern hit us hard and early in the game and we turned the ball over in critical moments that were costly," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "We responded well, continuing to play fast, play hard and connect well. I am especially pleased with the last quarter, playing with the belief that not only we could get back in the game, but we are good enough to compete and win. In these big games. You have to be able to execute in critical moments and we are close, but not quite there. We have an opportunity to show up on Sunday and repeat the strong performance that we had today."

Louisville will return to action on Sunday when the Cards take on No. 2 Iowa in a neutral site matchup in Evanston, Ill.