Boston College Athletics
Boston College
Maryland
Eagles Host ACC/Big Ten Challenge
September 03, 2026 | Field Hockey
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The Boston College field hockey team returns to action this weekend, hosting the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at the Newton Field Hockey Complex. The four team tournament features No. 1 Northwestern, No. 6 Duke and No. 13 Maryland with the Eagles facing Maryland on Friday at 6 p.m. and Northwestern on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ACC Network.
OPENING WEEKEND
BC split the opening weekend after a 3-1 win over Providence at home and a 4-3 loss at UAlbany.
Alex De Cain scored in both games, while Klara Mueffelmann recorded two goals against Providence. Melea Weber and Caroline Chisholm each scored their first goals of the season at UAlbany.
THE OPPONENTS
No. 13 Maryland
-
Saturday marks the 21st meeting between Boston College and Maryland.
-
BC upset then-No. 4 Maryland, 2-0, at last year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge, marking the Eagles' first win over the Terrapins since 2021.
-
Maryland entered 2026 ranked No. 13 in the NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll and opened the season 2-0.
-
They return a lot of key contributors from the 2025 roster including Josie Hollamon, who earned First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025, while Jordyn Hollamon was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading the Terps with seven goals. Lucia Magro returns after ranking second on the team in goals (nine) and points (20) last season.
-
Maryland added eight newcomers, including transfer Francisca Eshoyez, the 2025 Big East Offensive Player of the Year and NFHCA Third Team All-American.
-
The Terps outshot their opponents 45-11 during opening weekend.
No. 1 Northwestern
-
Sunday marks the 18th meeting between Boston College and Northwestern.
-
The Wildcats enter 2026 as the unanimous NFHCA preseason No. 1 after winning their second consecutive and third overall NCAA Championship in 2025.
-
Northwestern returns four 2025 NFHCA All-Americans, including Ashley Sessa, the 2025 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year who led the Wildcats with 65 points.
-
Juliana Boon, the 2025 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, returns after posting a .775 save percentage and 10 shutouts last season.
-
Ilse Tromp, the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, also returns after scoring the game-winning goal in the NCAA Championship.
-
Northwestern opened the season 2-0 with shutout victories over VCU (2-0) and Lafayette (1-0), with Jessica Freedman scoring in both games.
LAST YEAR AT THE ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE
Boston College split last year's ACC/Big Ten Challenge, upsetting No. 4 Maryland, 2-0, before falling to No. 1 Northwestern, 2-0.
Against Maryland, Melea Weber opened the scoring off a fast break with an assist from Caroline Chisholm. Chisholm added a penalty-stroke goal in the fourth quarter to seal the shutout.Â
BC and Northwestern remained scoreless through three quarters before the Wildcats scored twice in the fourth quarter.Â
MS AWARENESS GAME
Sunday's matchup with Northwestern will mark the 20th MS Awareness Game at Boston College in honor of Kathleen (Murphy) Cashman.
During her time at Boston College, Murphy was an integral member of the women's field hockey team when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the central nervous system. Despite her diagnosis, Murphy continued to practice and compete, demonstrating the strength and determination that continue to inspire the BC field hockey community.
Murphy and her teammates began participating in a walk for the MS Society, and she continues to raise awareness and funds in the effort to find a cure.
UP NEXT
The Eagles remain in Massachusetts for their next two contests, facing Maine at UMass Lowell on Sept. 11 at noon before traveling to Harvard on Sept. 13.
Â
