Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Lacrosse Triumphs Over Syracuse in Season Opener
2/12/2024 1:28:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Evanston, Ill. - Inside a sold-out Ryan Fieldhouse, the Lake Show commenced their 2024 season with an impressive win over No. 5 Syracuse. Madison Taylor, the 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, quickly made an impact by scoring 22 seconds into the match, setting the tone for the Wildcats' offense. Taylor put up four goals and two assists to kick off her sophomore season.
The 'Cats offense started hot and never looked back. Graduate student Erin Coykendall secured a hat trick in the first quarter before finishing the game with four goals and four assists. Northwestern scored eight times in the first quarter.
Winning the draw control battle was also crucial with the 'Cats winning 24 of 37 total draws against the Orange. The dominance in possession allowed the Wildcats to control the tempo of the game and maintain their early lead throughout.
Defensively, the Wildcats displayed resilience, restricting Syracuse's scoring opportunities and maintaining control of the game. Graduate student goalkeeper Molly Laliberty played a pivotal role in anchoring the defense with crucial saves.
Despite Syracuse's attempts to mount a comeback, Northwestern remained composed and maintained their lead. The Wildcats secured a commanding 18-15 victory, signaling a promising start to their 2024 season.
The Lake Show be on the road in South Bend, Indiana to take on the No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish this Friday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
