Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
2-0, 0-0
#3 Boston College
0-2, 0-0
No. 2 Northwestern Knocks Off No. 3 Boston College 20-12 in Season Opener
2/6/2026 6:50:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — No. 2 Northwestern opened its 2026 campaign with a 20-12 victory over No. 3 Boston College in Fish Field House on Friday evening.
The Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) never trailed in their 2025 Final Four rematch with the Eagles (0-1, 0-0 ACC). Northwestern saw contributions from eight different goalscorers in the program's most prolific scoring display against a top five opponent under Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller.
Senior attacker Madison Taylor recorded a game-high nine points (five goals, four assists), extending her multi-point streak to 46 games. Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster posted a career-high five points (four goals, one assist), while junior attacker Taylor Lapointe added a hat trick.
Graduate student attacker Olivia Adamson and senior attacker Maddie Epke each turned in three points, while sophomore midfielder Hannah Rudolph scored a pair of goals. Graduate student defender Annabel Child and redshirt first-year attacker Jenna Soto both scored their first goals as Wildcats.
In her first start with NU, graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco racked up 15 saves on a .556 save percentage, setting a program record for saves in a season opener. Cuocco made nine stops in the first half to help the visitors construct an early upper-hand.
On the defensive end, redshirt junior Jaylen Rosga had a team-high three caused turnovers and scooped a pair of ground balls. First-year defender Mckenzie Brown was credited with a caused turnover and two ground balls in her first career collegiate start.
Junior defender Madison Smith pulled down a team-high seven draw controls, while Taylor and Child nabbed three apiece.
Northwestern began the game on a 3-0 run, with goals from Epke, Adamson and Lapointe. While Boston College cut the lead to 3-2 with 5:22 remaining in the first quarter, the Wildcats rattled off four consecutive goals to build a 7-2 advantage after 15 minutes of play.
Taylor tallied three first-quarter assists as six Northwestern players recorded goals in the initial frame.
The Eagles scored the second quarter's first four goals, but Adamson converted a free-position opportunity with 1:17 to play in the first half to propel the Wildcats to an 8-6 halftime lead.
Behind a seven-goal third quarter, Northwestern extended the margin to 15-8 as it entered the final period.
The Wildcats held the Boston College attack at bay and closed out a decisive season-opening win with a late flurry of goals. They outscored the Eagles 12-6 in the game's latter 30 minutes.
The 'Cats have now won their past three season-openers, all of which took place against ranked opponents.
Northwestern will return to Evanston for its home opener against Colorado in Ryan Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 9. The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
