Maryland, Northwestern Meet for Big Ten Title

Maryland and Northwestern will face off Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, for the Big Ten Tournament championship.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two field hockey players in red and purple contesting a ball on green turf under stadium floodlights. — Maryland and Northwestern meet Sunday at noon in Columbus, Ohio, for the Big Ten Tournament field hockey championship, with the winner likely earning the top national seed. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Maryland field hockey and Northwestern will meet in the Big Ten Tournament championship game at 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in Columbus, Ohio. The game will air on the Big Ten Network.

Why it matters

The winner claims the Big Ten Tournament title and is likely to receive the top overall seed in the national tournament. Maryland has not won the conference tournament since 2018.

Both teams are 7-1 in Big Ten play, with Maryland seeded No. 2 and Northwestern No. 1 in the tournament. Northwestern defeated Maryland 4-3 in their Oct. 22 regular season meeting, and the championship result remains unknown ahead of the game.

The players

Maryland field hockey

The University of Maryland women's field hockey program competes in the Big Ten Conference and has not won the conference tournament since 2018.

Northwestern field hockey

Northwestern University's field hockey program is the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament after a 17-2 season.

The details

Maryland advanced after defeating No. 6-seed Iowa in the semifinals, while Northwestern beat No. 5-seed Indiana 3-0. Maryland's only regular season loss came after a 14-game unbeaten start, and Northwestern rallied with three fourth-quarter goals in their earlier meeting.

Oct. 22, 2026: Northwestern defeated Maryland 4-3 in their regular season meeting.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at 12 p.m.: Big Ten Tournament championship game in Columbus, Ohio.

Season Trajectory

Maryland's last Big Ten Tournament title came in 2018, leaving the program eight years without the conference crown. A championship win would place the team atop the national seeding picture and reshape its postseason path.

Fans can watch the championship live on the Big Ten Network at 12 p.m. Sunday. The result will determine the conference title and could affect which team earns the top national tournament seed.

The takeaway

A single game decides the Big Ten title and possibly the national top seed, so every goal in Sunday's matchup carries outsized weight.

What happens next

The Big Ten Tournament championship game is set for 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in Columbus, Ohio, with the winner expected to earn the top national seed.