Sunday, May 15
Evanston, Ill.
1 p.m. CT
Northwestern
15-4
15
vs
12
#21 Michigan
11-7
1
2
3
4
F
Michigan
0
5
4
3
12
Northwestern
5
3
4
3
15
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler / NUSports.com
Fast Start Propels NU to NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
5/15/2022 3:29:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. - After jumping out to a 5-0 first quarter lead, the No. 6 Northwestern women's lacrosse held strong to defeat No. 21 Michigan, 15-12, and advance to its fourth straight NCAA Tournament quarterfinal on Sunday afternoon at Martin Stadium.
Lauren Gilbert led Northwestern with four goals, while Erin Coykendall tallied a game-high three assists. Jill Girardi dominated the circle with 11 draw controls and helped the 'Cats lead Michigan (11-7) 23-6 in the category. Ally Palermo caused three turnovers to lead the team, with Elle Hansen and Hannah Gillespie each recorded two ground balls. Madison Doucette was incredible in net for the 'Cats, tallying 10 saves and a .455 save percentage.
The Wildcats dominated the first quarter, taking a 5-0 lead. Gilbert opened the scoring just 13 seconds into the game, grabbing the draw control and sprinting down the field untouched for the 'Cats first goal.
Northwestern held the game on the Michigan side of the field for the next few minutes and threatened several times but were held goalless thanks to several saves by Michigan goalie Arielle Weismann, Girardi finally broke through with 6:35 remaining in the period to put the 'Cats up two and was followed up less than a minute later by a Brennan Dwyer goal, assisted by Coykendall. Gilbert capitalized again with 2:51 remaining, before Girardi netted her second goal of the quarter with 12 seconds remaining to give the 'Cats a 5-0 lead heading into the first break.
Northwestern played stifling defense in the first quarter. The Wildcats shut out Michigan and allowed just four shots, three of which were saved by Doucette. UM was held scoreless for the game's first 14:50.
Michigan outscored the 'Cats 5-3 in the second quarter to cut the lead to three. Brennan Dwyer, Elle Hansen, and Gilbert found the back of the net for NU.
Despite a quick goal to start the second half by Coykendall, the 'Cats struggled to pull away with Michigan scoring three unanswered goals to make it a 9-8 game. The Wildcats turned it back on in the latter half of the third quarter, scoring three unanswered goals of their own thanks to Hansen, Leah Holmes, and Dylan Amonte
Northwestern took a 12-9 lead into the final frame after a late goal by Michigan. The 'Cats outshot the Wolverines 10-5 in the third quarter and dominated draw controls 9-0 thanks again to Girardi.
Amonte put the 'Cats up four early in the fourth quarter with her second goal of the game before Michigan scored twice to make it 13-11. Gilbert scored her fourth goal of the game, followed by another Michigan goal to keep it a two-goal game. With under 1:30 remaining in the game and Michigan threatening, the 'Cats drew a clutch charge, their seventh caused turnover of the game, to regain control of possession. Doucette made an important save on a free position shot with under a minute to play, leading to Coykendall's game-sealing goal with one second remaining.
Head coach Kelly Amote Hiller improved her record in NCAA Tournament games at home to 28-0.
The Wildcats and Martin Stadium will host the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 19, against No. 4 Syracuse at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Gallery: (5-15-2022) Lacrosse NCAA Tournament Second Round vs. Michigan
Lauren Gilbert led Northwestern with four goals, while Erin Coykendall tallied a game-high three assists. Jill Girardi dominated the circle with 11 draw controls and helped the 'Cats lead Michigan (11-7) 23-6 in the category. Ally Palermo caused three turnovers to lead the team, with Elle Hansen and Hannah Gillespie each recorded two ground balls. Madison Doucette was incredible in net for the 'Cats, tallying 10 saves and a .455 save percentage.
The Wildcats dominated the first quarter, taking a 5-0 lead. Gilbert opened the scoring just 13 seconds into the game, grabbing the draw control and sprinting down the field untouched for the 'Cats first goal.
Northwestern held the game on the Michigan side of the field for the next few minutes and threatened several times but were held goalless thanks to several saves by Michigan goalie Arielle Weismann, Girardi finally broke through with 6:35 remaining in the period to put the 'Cats up two and was followed up less than a minute later by a Brennan Dwyer goal, assisted by Coykendall. Gilbert capitalized again with 2:51 remaining, before Girardi netted her second goal of the quarter with 12 seconds remaining to give the 'Cats a 5-0 lead heading into the first break.
Northwestern played stifling defense in the first quarter. The Wildcats shut out Michigan and allowed just four shots, three of which were saved by Doucette. UM was held scoreless for the game's first 14:50.
Michigan outscored the 'Cats 5-3 in the second quarter to cut the lead to three. Brennan Dwyer, Elle Hansen, and Gilbert found the back of the net for NU.
Despite a quick goal to start the second half by Coykendall, the 'Cats struggled to pull away with Michigan scoring three unanswered goals to make it a 9-8 game. The Wildcats turned it back on in the latter half of the third quarter, scoring three unanswered goals of their own thanks to Hansen, Leah Holmes, and Dylan Amonte
Northwestern took a 12-9 lead into the final frame after a late goal by Michigan. The 'Cats outshot the Wolverines 10-5 in the third quarter and dominated draw controls 9-0 thanks again to Girardi.
Amonte put the 'Cats up four early in the fourth quarter with her second goal of the game before Michigan scored twice to make it 13-11. Gilbert scored her fourth goal of the game, followed by another Michigan goal to keep it a two-goal game. With under 1:30 remaining in the game and Michigan threatening, the 'Cats drew a clutch charge, their seventh caused turnover of the game, to regain control of possession. Doucette made an important save on a free position shot with under a minute to play, leading to Coykendall's game-sealing goal with one second remaining.
Head coach Kelly Amote Hiller improved her record in NCAA Tournament games at home to 28-0.
The Wildcats and Martin Stadium will host the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 19, against No. 4 Syracuse at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Team Stats
U-M
NU
Shots
25
34
Turnovers
11
17
Caused Turnovers
6
7
Draw Controls
6
23
Free-Position Shots
8
9
Ground Balls
15
10
Game Leaders
Players
G
4
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
1
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's LacrosseLacrosse - 'Cats Fall to North Carolina in National Championship Game
Sunday, May 25
Lacrosse - NCAA Semifinal Postgame Press Conference (5/23/25)
Saturday, May 24
Lacrosse - Comeback 'Cats Take Down Boston College, 12-11, Advance to National Title Game (5/23/25)
Saturday, May 24
Lacrosse - Maddy Taylor Breaks NCAA Goals Record in Quarterfinal Win (5/15/25)
Thursday, May 15
