Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
16-3
#22 James Madison
14-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Northwestern | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 17 |
’Cats Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals With 17-5 Win Over James Madison
5/10/2026 3:58:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 1 Northwestern defeated No. 22 James Madison 17-5 in Sunday's NCAA Tournament Second Round matchup at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
"Excited that we were able to host today, and our girls really battled, just taking it one play at a time," Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. "I'm really proud of their energy, their effort, and how they played together. James Madison is a great team. They played a great game Friday. We were expecting a good battle, and they gave us that."
With the win, the Wildcats (16-3, 7-1 Big Ten) have advanced to the quarterfinal round for the eighth consecutive season. Amonte Hiller is now 37-0 in home NCAA Tournament games, and NU has extended its winning streak at its outdoor home facility to 26 games.
Moving On ?? pic.twitter.com/MCxoUKf0NS
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) May 10, 2026
Senior attacker Madison Taylor tallied a game-high eight goals. Taylor moved into second all-time in career goals in NCAA Tournament games (52), with Izzy Scane holding the all-time record of 63. Taylor is now 20 points behind Scane's program career points record of 483.
"I love this time of year," Taylor said. "I feel like it always brings out the best in me, which is awesome. When I was trying to choose which school I wanted to go to, I knew I wanted to play in the month of May."
Spin Cycle ??
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) May 10, 2026
Maddy gets her 8th of the day!
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Facing her former team, senior attacker Maddie Epke recorded five points (one goal, four assists). Epke handled draw duties, pulling down a game-high nine draw controls. Epke's work on the circle helped the hosts outdraw the Dukes 15-9.
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster fired in four goals. She has racked up 15 goals in her past five games. Junior midfielder Noel Cumberland, a 2026 First Team All-Big Ten selection, converted a pair of goals.
Senior attacker Lucy Munro and graduate student midfielder Annabel Child each contributed a goal to the scoresheet.
"When you get to this time of year, it's a great feeling knowing you have so many people that can step up in so many moments," Taylor said. "That's the best part of playing a team sport. You're not just by yourself. You have so many people who have your back, and it just makes it 10 times more fun."
That's an Aditi hatty ??
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) May 10, 2026
And you know what that means... It's time to Run. That. Clock.
?? ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/qYkALmwGx8
On the defensive end, sophomore defender Mary Carroll compiled a team-high three caused turnovers. Redshirt junior defender Jaylen Rosga and redshirt sophomore defender Madison Smith each racked up a pair of caused turnovers.
The Wildcats forced James Madison into 16 turnovers.
"I'm proud of the way they buckled down on one-on-one defense, playing good, solid team man-to-man defense today," Amonte Hiller said. "The defense has really been a great rock for this team. The offense capitalizes. It's just a great level of cohesion."
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco continued her emphatic postseason stretch, posting seven saves with a 58.3% save percentage. Cuocco has posted a 50% save percentage or better in each of her past five games played.
NU set the tone early, building a 5-2 advantage in the opening 15 minutes of action. By halftime, the 'Cats led 9-3. Northwestern outscored the visitors 8-2 in the second half to secure a decisive victory.
The Wildcats will face No. 8 seed Colorado in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal on Thursday, May 14, at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Opening draw is at a time TBD on ESPNU.
