Northwestern University Athletics
Madison Taylor Named Honda Sport Award Winner for Lacrosse
6/11/2026 10:40:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern senior attacker Madison Taylor has been named the 2026 Honda Sport Award for Lacrosse winner, Chris Voelz, executive director of The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards (CWSA), announced on Thursday morning.
Taylor is the sixth Wildcat to win the award, joining Izzy Scane (2023, 2024), Kristen Kjellman (2005, 2006, 2007), Hannah Nielsen (2008, 2009), Shannon Smith (2011), and Taylor Thornton (2012). A Northwestern player has garnered the honor in three of the past four seasons.
With her win, Taylor is now a finalist for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year award and the Class of 2026 Honda Cup, to be presented live on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. She and Northwestern field hockey's Maddie Zimmer are each up for the award.
The Wantagh, N.Y., native recorded 97 goals, 42 assists, 23 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers, and 62 draw controls in 2026. She was the only player in the country to post 100+ points and 50+ draw controls this season.
She scored an NCAA Tournament-high 28 points in four postseason contests, setting an NCAA Tournament career record with 91 points in 16 tournament games. On May 28, Taylor took home the 2026 Tewaaraton Award.
A two-time national champion, Taylor bookended her career in storybook fashion in the 2026 NCAA Championship Game against UNC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The attacker posted a game-high seven points, including a championship-record six assists, to help guide NU to a 14–11 win.
Taylor tied Izzy Scane's career points record in the final minutes, closing her college career with 483 points. Her 342 career goals rank second in program history. She is the first player in NCAA history to tally 450+ career points and 200+ career draw controls.
One of the nation's most consistent performers, Taylor started all 87 games NU has played since she arrived on campus ahead of the 2023 season. She scored at least one point in 68 consecutive games.
Taylor concluded her Northwestern career with a 77–10 record across the past four seasons. This includes a 26–2 mark in Big Ten play, with four Big Ten Tournament titles and four conference regular-season championships.
