Northwestern University Athletics

No. 2 Northwestern Wins Ninth Straight, Thumps Johns Hopkins 19-5
3/23/2023 2:39:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
BALTIMORE – The No. 2 Northwestern lacrosse team won its ninth straight game and improved to 2-0 in Big Ten Conference play on Thursday afternoon, coasting to a 19-5 win at Johns Hopkins at Homewood Field. Senior Erin Coykendall led the attack for the Wildcats (9-1, 2-0 B1G) by posting a game-high seven points and tying her career-high of five goals.
Samantha Smith scored only a minute and a half into the game to start the Northwestern attack, as it outscored Johns Hopkins (4-5, 1-1 B1G) 6-3 in the first quarter. Hailey Rhatigan tallied three of her four goals in the opening quarter, sparking a 9-0 'Cats run that spanned from 1:34 of the first quarter to 7:34 of the third. Northwestern outscored the Blue Jays 6-0 in the second period, with Coykendall, Izzy Scane and Madison Taylor each scoring two goals. Scane and Rhatigan scored four goals in the game each.
With a running clock in the second half, Northwestern posted three goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth.
Taylor added three goals, her fourth hat trick of the year. Katie Shanley and Rachel Weiner each scored their first collegiate goals in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern's defense was rock solid all afternoon, recording its second-fewest goals allowed in a game this season (3 vs. Youngstown State), and held the Blue Jays to their lowest total since last season at Stony Brook (5). Molly Laliberty logged four saves between the pipes on nine shots faced. Cara Nugent also registered a save.
The Wildcats return home to face Stanford at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 26 inside Ryan Fieldhouse.
Samantha Smith scored only a minute and a half into the game to start the Northwestern attack, as it outscored Johns Hopkins (4-5, 1-1 B1G) 6-3 in the first quarter. Hailey Rhatigan tallied three of her four goals in the opening quarter, sparking a 9-0 'Cats run that spanned from 1:34 of the first quarter to 7:34 of the third. Northwestern outscored the Blue Jays 6-0 in the second period, with Coykendall, Izzy Scane and Madison Taylor each scoring two goals. Scane and Rhatigan scored four goals in the game each.
With a running clock in the second half, Northwestern posted three goals in the third quarter and four in the fourth.
Smith had a game-high seven draw controls for the 'Cats, while Samantha White caused a career-high five turnovers.ERIN GOES BEHIND-THE-BACK AGAIN ?? https://t.co/ME6ItfRAG7 pic.twitter.com/d5kQRXJXGi
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 23, 2023
Taylor added three goals, her fourth hat trick of the year. Katie Shanley and Rachel Weiner each scored their first collegiate goals in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern's defense was rock solid all afternoon, recording its second-fewest goals allowed in a game this season (3 vs. Youngstown State), and held the Blue Jays to their lowest total since last season at Stony Brook (5). Molly Laliberty logged four saves between the pipes on nine shots faced. Cara Nugent also registered a save.
The Wildcats return home to face Stanford at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 26 inside Ryan Fieldhouse.
Team Stats
NU
JHU
Shots
41
14
Turnovers
15
22
Caused Turnovers
9
6
Draw Controls
17
10
Free-Position Shots
8
2
Ground Balls
19
13
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Lacrosse - '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