Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
5-2
#14 Syracuse
5-3
No. 4 Northwestern Drops Non-Conference Battle to No. 14 Syracuse, 9-6
3/12/2026 9:24:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 4 Northwestern's late rally fell short in a 9–6 loss to No. 14 Syracuse on Thursday night inside Ryan Fieldhouse.
The Wildcats (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten) scored two goals in 44 seconds to cut the deficit to three with 3:13 to play, but the Orange (5-3, 3-2 ACC) ultimately closed out the result.
Graduate student defender Annabel Child scored a team-high two goals and recorded a ground ball. Senior attackers Madison Taylor and Maddie Epke, junior attacker Taylor Lapointe and junior midfielder Noel Cumberland each netted a goal.
Despite the loss, Northwestern outdrew Syracuse 11-6. Redshirt sophomore Madison Smith pulled down a game-high 10 draw controls, her second game with double-digit draw controls in 2026.
On the defensive end, graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco posted eight saves. Sophomore defender Mary Carroll recorded a team-high three caused turnovers and scooped two ground balls.
Child scored the opening goal less than two minutes into the game, but the Orange responded with a 5-1 run to take a three-goal lead early in the second quarter. The 'Cats ended the first half with consecutive goals to cut the margin to 5-4 entering halftime.
After the break, Syracuse launched a 4-0 run to build a 9-4 advantage with less than five minutes remaining. Cumberland and Taylor responded with goals on back-to-back possessions, but NU couldn't cut further into the deficit in the closing moments.
The Wildcats will be back in action in their Big Ten home opener against Ohio State on Sunday, March 15. Opening draw from Ryan Fieldhouse on Senior Day is scheduled for noon CT on B1G+.
