Three new weapons for the ‘Cats, each with potential for prowess.
You can never have too much talent.
On the heels of a national championship, Northwestern field hockey welcomes some new assets to its roster as it looks to defend its title. The team is coming off its greatest season in franchise history — an undefeated regular season and 23-1 overall record, culminating in a championship trophy.
Early into the offseason, Northwestern quickly ensured head coach Tracey Fuchs would remain the anchor of the program for years to come, with Fuchs securing a long-term extension. After that, the work revolved around recruitment and the transfer portal. Although it can a difficult process for any team, NU field hockey is undoubtedly one of the most attractive destinations out there. Thus, qualifications — and expectations — for incoming transfers soar high.
The Wildcats welcomed three transfer athletes this year, each entrusted to maintain and build on the high standard of excellence set by this historic team. Let’s review these incoming Wildcats.
Grace Schulze
The transfer with the most experience, Schulze comes to Evanston after four years at Princeton, where she stood out among the team and conference. Her breakout season came in 2022, where she scored six goals and 12 assists, the former slotting her at third in the Ivy League. Her 24 points ranked fourth in the conference. She proved her ability to succeed on high-level platforms as well, as during the Tigers’ first-round NCAA tournament battle against Syracuse, she scored a goal and an assist. That year, she was named a second-team All-Ivy League selection for her accomplishments.
After her 2023 season was cut short due to injury, Schulze rebounded last season with a strong senior year, finishing second on her team in total points and being an All-Ivy League honorable mention. She started all 20 games for the Tigers and had 15 points on four goals and seven assists. The best offensive output of her career was a hat trick against Rutgers last September, a testament to how much she had grown while at Princeton.
Did we say it was tied? That’s three for Grace Schulze.
Final score: Princeton 3, Rutgers 2. pic.twitter.com/zflV16GL7v
— Princeton FH (@TigerFH) September 22, 2024
Transferring to NU provides Schulze an even bigger platform to showcase her skills as both a facilitator and a shot-maker. Fuchs said in May that she expects the Princeton transfer to be the “setup person” for other attackers like Ashley Sessa and Olivia Bent-Cole to take shots. As likely one of the only graduate students on the team (NU had just three this past season), Schulze’s experience and leadership skills will likely stand out in the locker room.
Kate Janssen
Janssen brings both domestic and international experience to the ‘Cats. Born and raised in Amsterdam, Netherlands, she helped her high school qualify for the Dutch championship in 2018, when it finished fourth in the country.
In 2024, Jannsen came to the U.S. for college and enrolled at Delaware, where she spent her freshman season. She started all 22 games for the Blue Hens, finishing with six points stemming from two goals and two assists. Her streak of being on championship-level teams continued, as she helped lead Delaware to its 10th CAA Championship title. In the title game, she assisted on the goal that forced overtime. The Blue Hens also earned a spot in the NCAA tournament, falling to North Carolina in the first round. For her work that season, Janssen was named to the CAA-All-Rookie team.
As only a sophomore, the ceiling for Janssen remains high. Her first season showcased promise, and she should be given plenty of opportunities to build upon her success and maintain her starting-player caliber. She has also proven to be no stranger to the spotlight and has a plethora of experience playing in high-pressure matchups. That cannot be overlooked, especially when fielding a Northwestern team poised to defend its championship status and forced to battle the best of the best along the way.
Kerry McCormick
A native of Haddonfield, New Jersey, McCormick had a storied high school career, being a National Nexus Championship Selection in both 2021 and 2022, and helping lead her team to a bronze medal at the 2021 U16 Nexus Championship.
McCormick played two years at Old Dominion University, appearing in 38 games as a defender. Her strongest collegiate accolade came through earning preseason All-Big East recognition in 2024 — an honor voted on by all coaches in the conference. In 2023, she was part of the Mornachs’ squad that won its first-ever Big East tournament championship and qualified for the NCAA tournament.
As an incoming junior, McCormick brings depth to Northwestern in a backfield that lost key contributors such as Katie Jones and Lauren Hunter. In return, it’ll provide her the perfect opportunity to grow and showcase her potential.