'Cats to Battle Syracuse in Second-Straight Final Four Appearance

NORTHWESTERN LACROSSE: NCAA TOURNAMENT FINAL FOUR
DATE	Opponent	TIME	LOCATION	Live Stats	Live Stream	Radio
Friday, May 28	Syracuse	1 p.m. CT	Johnny Unitas Stadium Towson, Maryland	Live Stats	ESPNU	WNUR Sports
Social: Twitter (@NULax) \| Instagram (@nu_lax) \| Schedule \| Notes

TOWSON, MD — No. 2 Northwestern faces No. 3 Syracuse in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament Friday. First draw is set for 1 p.m. CT from Johnny Unitas Stadium on ESPNU and WNUR Sports.

Friday marks Northwestern's 12th Final Four appearance in program history, with all 12 coming under Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, the second-most in the country since she took over in 2001. The Wildcats have 8-3 in semifinal games, including eight-straight wins between 2005 and 2012. This is the second-consecutive NCAA Tournament with Northwestern in the semifinals as the 'Cats knocked out Syracuse and Notre Dame on their way to the Final Four in 2019. There was no Tournament held in 2020.

Northwestern rides an unblemished 15-0 record into its showdown with the Orange off resounding wins over Denver and Duke in its first two games of the Tournament. At home for both games, the record-breaking Wildcat offense continued to find another gear in the postseason, particularly in the second half. Northwestern outscored its opponents 20-2 over the second halves against Denver and Duke, a feat that lifted the 'Cats to victory margins of 15 and 12 goals.

The 'Cats have also dominated in the draw control circle in their first two Tournament games, besting Denver 21-5 and Duke 21-13. Senior Jill Girardi in particular has emerged as a force on the draw, securing 16 draw controls against Denver and Duke. Girardi was also named the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week following her three-caused-turnover, four-draw-control, two-ground-ball performance against the Blue Devils.

Northwestern's five All-Americans have all showed out in the NCAA Tournament. Izzy Scane, who leads the nation with 94 goals (6.27 per game), posted 13 goals in the first two games while her attacking partner Lauren Gilbert added nine of her own. Sammy Mueller and Lindsey McKone have also found the back of the net for Northwestern, while defensive standout Ally Palermo held Denver to four goals and Duke to 10.

Chicago's Big Ten Team is no stranger to Syracuse. The two programs have met in every season since 2006, playing 18 games in that stretch. Northwestern has dominated the all-time series 14-5, including four wins in four matchups with Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament, most recently winning 18-14 in the 2019 quarterfinals. The 'Cats and Orange have met once in the Final Four, a 2008 game also played at Unitas Stadium which Northwestern won 16-8. Northwestern went on to beat Penn in the final round for its fourth National Championship two days later.

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics

'Cats to Battle Syracuse in Second-Straight Final Four Appearance

Players Mentioned

Lauren Gilbert

Jill Girardi

Lindsey McKone

Sammy Mueller

Ally Palermo

Izzy Scane

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