Northwestern
9-0
Maryland
5-3
BIG TEN CHAMPS: ‘Cats Take Down Maryland, 20-10, To Clinch Regular Season Title
3/29/2021 2:30:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Northwestern completed a season sweep of No. 9 Maryland to clinch the Wildcats' first Big Ten regular season title
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern completed a successful sweep of No. 9 Maryland with a 20-10 victory to clinch the regular season Big Ten title and remain undefeated.
Junior Izzy Scane once again led the way for the 'Cats with five goals in a second half surge to pull Northwestern away from the Terrapins. Graduate student Sammy Mueller was the offensive spark in the first half putting up three goals early for a total of four. Sophomore Erin Coykendall followed behind with three goals and a team-high three assists.
The Wildcats once again dominated at the draw, beating Maryland 21 to 10. Senior Jill Girardi set a new career high with 12 draws, smashing through her previous career-high of 10 set just two days ago against Maryland. She also contributed two ground balls to bolster Northwestern's efforts on the 50-50 balls.
Mueller got the 'Cats on the board first, putting up three goals in six minutes to take the lead from the jump. Maryland quickly tied things up, 3-3, with 20 minutes left to play in the first half. Both teams traded goals for the rest of the frame and with just 47 seconds left, the Terrapins sent home a free position goal to take the lead. However, with one second left on the clock, Coykendall was able to send home a ringer off an assist from McKone. Northwestern headed into the final half tied with Maryland, 7-7.
ARE. YOU. SERIOUS. ??@erin_coykendall beats the buzzer for @NULax with a must see behind the back goal!#GoCats | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/G9MsWdRgME
— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) March 29, 2021
Northwestern came out firing in the second half and scored six goals in just ten minutes. While bringing the offensive heat, the 'Cats also excelled on defense culminating in an 11-0 run that took the game away from the Terrapins. With just eight minutes left in the game Maryland finally managed to get past Madison Doucette, who had already racked up eight saves on the day. From then on the two teams once again traded goals but there was nothing Maryland could do to catch up this time.
In addition to clinching a share of the regular-season title, Northwestern also clinched the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Women's Lacrosse Tournament and will receive a first-round bye. The 2021 Big Ten Women's Lacrosse Tournament will be hosted by Penn State from April 29-May 2 and will feature a seven-team field.
The 'Cats will be back in action on Thursday when they face-off against No. 14 Michigan. The first draw is set for 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
