Northwestern
13-0
Maryland
9-6
BIG TEN CHAMPIONS: 'Cats Win it All at Big Ten Tournament
5/2/2021 1:35:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – After winning the regular season Big Ten Championship title, Northwestern has taken home the 2021 Big Ten Tournament Championship for the second season in a row after a 17-12 victory over Maryland.
The Wildcats took home the last Big Ten Tournament trophy in 2019 with a 16-11 win over the Terrapins. With this most recent win, the 'Cats improved to 13-0 on the season; their first undefeated season since going 23-0 in 2009. They hope to maintain their perfect record at the NCAA tournament at the end of the month.
Izzy Scane led Northwestern with nine goals which tied the Big Ten Tournament record for most goals scored in a single game. She has now scored 81 goals in a season, joining only five Big Ten players in conference history to do so. Lindsey McKone and Brennan Dwyer followed with two goals apiece. In total, seven 'Cats found the back of the net.
Scane was named the 2021 Big Ten Tournament MVP for her performances in both wins this weekend in State College. Three other Wildcats landed on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team, with Brennan Dwyer, Jill Girardi and Kendall Halpern joining Scane.
The Wildcats dominated the Terrapins in the draw circle tallying a whopping 22 to just nine from Maryland. Jill Girardi picked up 11 and Dwyer posted, in addition to her contributions at the net. Madison Doucette locked things down in the net, posting a game-high six saves.
After some success on the draw, Maryland got off to a quick three-point lead. Mueller found a response with a rocket from the eight meter, but the Terrapins regained offensive control of the ball and the 'Cats found themselves down 5-1. On the next possession Dwyer came up with the draw and the score to bring the Wildcats even closer. The two teams went on to trade goals for much of the first half, before Scane started to take over. Just seven minutes left to play in the half, she sent three missiles into the net back-to-back to tie things up. Northwestern headed into the second half tied 7-7.
Scane carried her momentum from the first half into the second putting away two quick goals and giving the 'Cats the lead two minutes into the half. Lindsey McKone followed with a behind-the-back stunner to force a Maryland time-out. Northwestern continued their dominance and rattled off a 5-0 run to build a 12-7 advantage. The Terrapins responded with a 3-0 run of their own, but Scane and Dwyer found three goals between them to regain their 5-point advantage. Maryland put up two more goals to bring them within three, but a free-position from Elle Hansen and another goal from Scane sealed the win for the 'Cats
The 'Cats will learn their path to an NCAA Championship during the Selection Show on May 9. First and Second-Round games will be hosted at campus sites the weekend of May 14. This year's NCAA Women's Lacrosse Final Four will be hosted in Towson, Maryland from May 28 to 30.
