Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, March 21
Eugene, Ore.
2 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Oregon
Photo by: Northwestern Athletics
No. 11 Northwestern Set for Big Ten Road Clash at Oregon
3/20/2026 12:05:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EUGENE, Ore. — After opening its conference slate against Ohio State on March 15, No. 11 Northwestern will travel to the West Coast for a Big Ten Conference road matchup at Oregon on Saturday, March 21. Opening draw from Papé Field in Eugene is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on B1G+.
The Wildcats (5-3, 0-1 Big Ten) boast a 2-0 road resume, with each victory against a top 25 opponent (No. 3 Boston College, No. 16 Stony Brook). Saturday's affair marks NU's first-ever game in Eugene and the fourth faceoff in the all-time series.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
The Wildcats lead the Big Ten in draw control percentage (.644), draw controls per game (17.88), points per game (25.38), scoring offense (16.38 goals per game), scoring margin (7.0 GPG), shots per game (35.88) and shots on goal per game (25.13).
Senior attacker Madison Taylor is second in the Big Ten and ties for third in the NCAA in goals (38). She is the conference leader in points per game (6.63), goals per game (4.75) and shots on goal per game (6.25). Taylor ranks third in Northwestern history in career goals (283) and points (397). She is five goals away from surpassing Selena Lasota (287) for No. 2 in the program's leaderboard and two points away from overtaking Hannah Nielsen (398) for No. 2 in points.
Redshirt sophomore midfielder Madison Smith ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 22 nationally in draw controls per game (7.88). At her current pace, Smith would sit inside the Wildcats' top five individual campaigns in draw control average.
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco ranks second in the Big Ten in saves per game (8.25) and No. 3 in save percentage (.485).
LAST TIME OUT
Despite a 10-point performance from Taylor, Northwestern fell 16-15 to Ohio State in its Big Ten opener in Ryan Fieldhouse on March 15. The result ended the Wildcats' 17-game winning streak against conference foes, dating back to March 30, 2024.
Senior midfielder Lucy Munro and junior attacker Taylor Lapointe each recorded four points. Smith pulled down a game-high nine draw controls, while first-year midfielder Kate Ratanaproeksa secured six.
SCOUTING OREGON
The Ducks (6-3, 0-1 Big Ten) enter Saturday's game following a 15-7 loss to No. 3 Maryland in their Big Ten opener on March 14. Led by head coach Jessica Drummond, the program continues to search for its first-ever Big Ten victory.
Oregon has the NCAA's No. 45 scoring offense (12.22 goals per game) and ranks No. 30 in scoring defense (8.89 goals per game).
Anna Simmons leads the Ducks with 17 goals and 22 points. Simmons also holds team-highs in draw controls (48), caused turnovers (15) and ground balls (19).
Kate Shields and Francesca Viteritti have each seen extensive time in the cage, combining for 59 saves on 192 shots faced.
SERIES STUFF
The two teams have faced off on three occasions, with Northwestern holding a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series. In last season's meeting — the programs' first matchup since 2012 — the Wildcats prevailed 19-10 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
NEXT UP
Northwestern will take on No. 1 North Carolina in a rematch of the 2025 NCAA title game on Wednesday, March 25. Opening draw from Chapel Hill, N.C., is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
The Wildcats (5-3, 0-1 Big Ten) boast a 2-0 road resume, with each victory against a top 25 opponent (No. 3 Boston College, No. 16 Stony Brook). Saturday's affair marks NU's first-ever game in Eugene and the fourth faceoff in the all-time series.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
The Wildcats lead the Big Ten in draw control percentage (.644), draw controls per game (17.88), points per game (25.38), scoring offense (16.38 goals per game), scoring margin (7.0 GPG), shots per game (35.88) and shots on goal per game (25.13).
Senior attacker Madison Taylor is second in the Big Ten and ties for third in the NCAA in goals (38). She is the conference leader in points per game (6.63), goals per game (4.75) and shots on goal per game (6.25). Taylor ranks third in Northwestern history in career goals (283) and points (397). She is five goals away from surpassing Selena Lasota (287) for No. 2 in the program's leaderboard and two points away from overtaking Hannah Nielsen (398) for No. 2 in points.
Redshirt sophomore midfielder Madison Smith ranks third in the Big Ten and No. 22 nationally in draw controls per game (7.88). At her current pace, Smith would sit inside the Wildcats' top five individual campaigns in draw control average.
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco ranks second in the Big Ten in saves per game (8.25) and No. 3 in save percentage (.485).
LAST TIME OUT
Despite a 10-point performance from Taylor, Northwestern fell 16-15 to Ohio State in its Big Ten opener in Ryan Fieldhouse on March 15. The result ended the Wildcats' 17-game winning streak against conference foes, dating back to March 30, 2024.
Senior midfielder Lucy Munro and junior attacker Taylor Lapointe each recorded four points. Smith pulled down a game-high nine draw controls, while first-year midfielder Kate Ratanaproeksa secured six.
SCOUTING OREGON
The Ducks (6-3, 0-1 Big Ten) enter Saturday's game following a 15-7 loss to No. 3 Maryland in their Big Ten opener on March 14. Led by head coach Jessica Drummond, the program continues to search for its first-ever Big Ten victory.
Oregon has the NCAA's No. 45 scoring offense (12.22 goals per game) and ranks No. 30 in scoring defense (8.89 goals per game).
Anna Simmons leads the Ducks with 17 goals and 22 points. Simmons also holds team-highs in draw controls (48), caused turnovers (15) and ground balls (19).
Kate Shields and Francesca Viteritti have each seen extensive time in the cage, combining for 59 saves on 192 shots faced.
SERIES STUFF
The two teams have faced off on three occasions, with Northwestern holding a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series. In last season's meeting — the programs' first matchup since 2012 — the Wildcats prevailed 19-10 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
NEXT UP
Northwestern will take on No. 1 North Carolina in a rematch of the 2025 NCAA title game on Wednesday, March 25. Opening draw from Chapel Hill, N.C., is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Players Mentioned
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