Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
#10 Colorado
No. 1 Northwestern Faces No. 8 Colorado in NCAA Quarterfinals
5/13/2026 9:47:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 1 Northwestern will take on No. 8 seed Colorado in an NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal clash at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Thursday, May 14. Opening draw from Evanston is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Drew Carter (play-by-play) and Charlotte North (analyst) will be on the call.
The Wildcats (16-3, 7-1 Big Ten) and the Buffaloes (16-3, 4-1 Big 12) last squared off in NU's home opener, with Colorado securing a 10-9 win on Feb. 9.
'CATS QUARTERFINALS HISTORY
Northwestern has won six straight NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal games, advancing to the national semifinals in every season since 2019. Amonte Hiller is 60-13 all-time in NCAA Tournament games and 16-3 in the quarterfinal round.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Under Amonte Hiller, Northwestern is 37-0 all-time in home NCAA Tournament games — a streak dating back to the 2004 season. The Wildcats have won 26 consecutive games at their outdoor home facility, dating back to April 18, 2019.
NU could become the first team with home-field advantage in an NCAA Championship game since Princeton in 2004.
NU TIES
Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller has long boasted one of the nation's most decorated coaching trees. This season's NCAA Tournament field exemplifies her transcendent impact on the game's growth. Of the seven other quarterfinal squads, three (Colorado, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford) are helmed by former Northwestern assistants.
The Wildcat and Buffalo coaching staffs share significant links. Colorado coach Ann Elliott Whidden was a defender at Northwestern, where she won national championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Whidden graduated from Northwestern with a bachelor's degree in radio, television, and film in 2007.
Whidden joined Amonte Hiller's coaching staff at NU in 2009 and was the first-ever Wildcat associate head coach in 2012. She won three national championships as a coach at Northwestern (2009, 2011, 2012).
Wildcat assistant coach Nicole Beardlsey Montag previously served as the director of recruiting and draw controls and the offensive coordinator at Colorado, where she helped the Buffaloes reach the Pac-12 title game in 2023 and 2024.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind an eight-goal display from Madison Taylor, Northwestern defeated No. 22 James Madison 17-5 on May 10 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium to advance to its eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal.
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster scored four goals, while junior midfielder Noel Cumberland added a pair of tallies. Facing her former team, senior attacker Maddie Epke posted five points (one goal, four assists) and a game-high nine draw controls to help the 'Cats command the possession battle.
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco posted seven stops and a 58.3% save percentage. The graduate transfer backstops a defense that has held five straight opponents (all of which were ranked) to single digits.
SCOUTING COLORADO
The Buffaloes secured the Big 12's automatic qualifier after knocking off Florida in the conference title game on May 2. Colorado defeated Jacksonville, 10-9, on May 8 and Denver, 11-9, on May 10 to advance to the quarterfinal round.
The Buffaloes' backer zone defense has given opposing offenses fits all season. Colorado enters Evanston as the NCAA's No. 1 scoring defense, surrendering 6.63 goals per game.
Maddie Shoup spearheads the Buffaloes' offense. She has tallied 43 goals and 20 assists this season.
Two-time Big 12 Defender of the Year Jess Peluso has posted 40 caused turnovers, 30 ground balls, and a team-best 59 draw controls this year.
Between the pipes, Elena Oh has racked up 106 saves and a 46.5% save percentage this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday will mark the eighth meeting in the all-time series. Northwestern holds a 5-2 record against Colorado and has won three of the past four matchups
Northwestern vs. Colorado:
Date W/L Score
3/7/15 W 14-8
3/25/16 W 11-6
2/12/17 L 11-10 (OT)
2/15/18 W 15-8
2/22/24 W 19-14
2/21/25 W 20-5
2/9/26 L 10-9
NEXT UP
The winner will advance to the NCAA Tournament Semifinals, which are slated for Friday, May 22, at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The two semifinal games are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
