Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
4-1
Marquette
3-1
No. 4 NU Concludes Homestand With 25-7 Win Over Marquette
2/20/2026 10:20:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — Senior attacker Madison Taylor and sophomore attacker Aditi Foster combined for 16 points as No. 4 Northwestern earned a decisive 25-7 win over Marquette on Friday night inside Ryan Fieldhouse.
"We have that energy, that team first mentality and that's what makes the journey fun," Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. "That's what gives everybody the fire they need to be successful."
The Wildcats (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten) extended their winning streak to three, knocking the Golden Eagles (3-1, 0-0 Big East) off their previously undefeated perch. The hosts converted 25 of their 31 shots on goal.
Taylor led all scorers with nine points (seven goals, goals assists). She reclaimed the national lead in points (38) and bolstered her NCAA-best goals tally to 26 in the win.
"We're being adaptable on offense, no matter what defense we're playing," Taylor said. "Whether it's a zone or man, we're able to see what they're playing and be connected. We're playing together and moving on a string."
Foster recorded a career-high seven points, scoring five goals and dishing out a pair of assists. The sophomore has amassed 12 goals in the past three games, equaling her 2025 season tally in that span.
Graduate student attacker Olivia Adamson turned in a season-high six points (four goals, two assists). Adamson buried a highlight reel behind-the-back goal that helped spur a commanding first-half run.
Junior attacker Taylor Lapointe and first-year attacker Gabriella McCollester each tallied two goals. Senior attacker Maddie Epke, redshirt first-year midfielder Annabelle Mahoney and first-year midfielders Kate Ratanaproeksa, Sienna Connolly and Reese Hansen all added a goal.
The NU attack proved a menacing first line of defense on Friday night, holding Marquette to an 13-for-23 rate on clears.
"When you get draw controls and strong riding, those are just more possessions that the D doesn't have to play," Amonte Hiller said. "The attack did a great job with that today and got a lot of clean play."
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco completed her fifth game with at least a .500 save percentage, posting seven stops on 11 shots on goal.
The Wildcats put forth a dominant display in the draw circle, winning the draw control battle 27-7. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Madison Smith pulled down a game-high 11 draw controls, while Epke added five.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, Northwestern outscored Marquette 10-2 in the second frame to build a 14-4 halftime advantage. The 'Cats held a 25-12 shot advantage in the initial 30 minutes of action.
From there, Northwestern accelerated to an 18-point margin of victory.
"The best part of playing a team sport is that anyone could step up and anyone could do anything on any given day," Taylor said. "When everyone's scoring like that, we're just so super happy for each other. It's just really fun to play with that and be in that environment."
The Wildcats will return to action on the road against No. 18 Stony Brook on Saturday, Feb. 28. Opening draw from Long Island, N.Y., is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT on FloCollege.
