Scouting Report: VCU Field Hockey vs. Northwestern University

Women’s field hockey will face the reigning national champions, the Northwestern University Wildcats on Sept. 1 at Cary Street Field.

The CT sports staff chose their notable players. 

VCU

Yenni Jimenez Acosta, Contributing Writer

Morena Macera — The fourth-year from Buenos Aires, Argentina, has played a total of 33 games, scored 17 goals and netted 11 assists in her time at VCU, according to VCU Athletics. Macera was a force during her first year at VCU — she got nine goals and five assists, ranked second on the team in total points, fourth in the Atlantic 10 in shots and shots on goal per game and third in assists. She was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-South Region Second Team and the All-A-10 First Team selection for the second straight season. Macera will be the premier player for VCU in the upcoming matchup.

Marcus Leary, Contributing Writer 

Emma Clements — Hailing from Fredericksburg, Virginia, redshirt second-year goalkeeper Clements is going to be a difference maker for the Rams. Clements started in 11 games last season, including a double overtime win over No. 18 ranked Old Dominion University. During the 2024 campaign, Clements was a stalwart in the goal for the Rams. Across 13 games played, she totaled 52 saves, helped lead the black and gold to five shut-outs and tallied a 73.2% save percentage. In 2023, Clements was named as an alternate to the U.S. Field Hockey U-20 National Team. If the Wildcats want to come away on top, they are going to have to work hard to get shots past Clements and in the back of the cage.

Northwestern University

Kyler Gilliam, Staff Writer

Ashley Sessa — The redshirt third-year is coming off an impressive season for the Wildcats in their championship campaign. Sessa was named an NFHCA First-Team All-American for her performance on the field last season, along with multiple Big Ten and NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week awards. She had 24 goals and 19 assists last season, and led the Big Ten Conference in both categories, according to Northwestern Athletics. She also ranked in the top five in Division 1 for goals and assists per game. Sessa came in clutch to advance the Wildcats past the University of Massachusetts, scoring the only goal of the matchup to send Northwestern to the national championship. While competing for Northwestern, Sessa has also been a part of the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team since 2021, according to Northwestern Athletics. Sessa’s playmaking ability combined with her scoring prowess will create troublesome matchups for the Rams, and containing her will be key to a VCU victory.

Benney Koch, Contributing Writer

Maddie Zimmer — Zimmer is a graduate student midfielder from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Zimmer has been instrumental to Northwestern’s success, featuring in the national championship winning side last season. Zimmer played a major role in Northwestern’s championship victory, contributing two of its five goals, including the game winning shot and assisting in another. She was awarded the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player for her performance, for the second time in her career. This came along with an abundance of other awards she earned during the 2024-2025 season, including NFHCA Player of the Year, NFHCA All-Senior Team, NFHCA First Team All-American, NFHCA All-West First Team, First Team All-Big Ten, NCAA All-Tournament Team, Academic All-Big Ten, B1G All-Tournament Team. Zimmer is a huge part of her team, starting in every game she played in, according to Northwestern Athletics. She is expected to have a massive impact in this matchup against VCU and throughout the upcoming season.