Northwestern
Maryland
Lake Show Hosts No. 4 Maryland in Top 5 Clash
3/21/2025 11:15:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 3 Northwestern takes on No. 4 Maryland on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT inside Ryan Fieldhouse, with the game airing live on Big Ten Network. Chris Vosters and Abby Bosco will be on the call.
Welcome to the Jungle ??
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 21, 2025
Saturday 1PM vs. rival Maryland
Need you there: https://t.co/pMztu2XUYn pic.twitter.com/huJJZnsitT
This marks the 32nd all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Terrapins, with Maryland holding an 18-13 advantage. Northwestern, however, has won the last three matchups, including a commanding 17-9 victory in College Park last season—the Wildcats' first road win against Maryland since 2006. In that game, Madison Taylor led the way with six goals and an assist, handing Maryland its first home conference loss under head coach Cathy Reese
Taylor has continued her dominance this season, leading the nation in goals per game (5.63) while ranking second in total points (59) and goals (45), trailing only Boston College's Rachel Clark. Her 45 goals through eight games are the highest total at this stage for an NCAA single-season goals leader in the past four years, aside from Izzy Scane's 50 in 2023. Scane went on to set a program record with 99 goals that season.
There's a new sheriff in town, and her name is Madison Taylor ??
— U.S. Women's National Team (@USAWLax) March 20, 2025
The U20 gold medalist and @NULax star has been unstoppable this season, currently second in the nation with 59 points through 8 games, scoring 45 goals and adding 14 assists.
(via @NULax) pic.twitter.com/hQaovoMbME
Northwestern (7-1, 1-0 Big Ten) is coming off a dominant 17-6 win over Penn State in its conference opener. Taylor posted a career-high nine points on six goals and three assists, earning IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the third time this season. Goalkeeper Delaney Sweitzer delivered a season-high 12 saves, anchoring a defense that has held opponents to single-digit goals in six of eight games this year.
The Wildcats have been dominant in the draw circle, ranking third in the NCAA in both draw percentage (.656) and draw controls per game (17.88). Senior Sam Smith leads the team with 50 draw controls after finishing with 110 last season.
Maryland (6-1, 2-0 Big Ten) enters the matchup with ranked wins over No. 13 James Madison (11-5) and No. 11 Michigan (14-12). The Terrapins' lone loss came at home against then-No. 6 Syracuse, 15-9. Northwestern defeated Syracuse earlier this season, 12-8.
Rivalry renewed ??
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 18, 2025
Maryland. Saturday 1PM.
Ryan Fieldhouse ??? pic.twitter.com/jyF6uO9bXz
The history between these programs runs deep, with both teams combining for 22 national championships. Northwestern won consecutive titles from 2005-09 and added championships in 2011 and 2012, while Maryland won the 2010 title over Northwestern. In Big Ten play, Maryland has won six regular-season titles to Northwestern's three, while both teams have claimed four Big Ten Tournament championships. The Wildcats, ranked No. 1 in the 2025 Big Ten preseason poll, swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles in 2023 and 2024.
Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, with the game airing live on Big Ten Network. Tickets for the matchup at Ryan Fieldhouse can be purchased here.
