22 seconds into Monday night’s game versus Marquette University (1-2, 0-0 Big East), graduate student midfielder Lindsey Frank slammed home goal number one for #4 Northwestern lacrosse (2-1, 0-0 B1G), setting the tone for the next 60 minutes.

Marquette quickly responded when third-year attacker Meg Bireley tied the game with 13:41 left in the first quarter, but the ’Cats were relentless, posting seven goals before the quarter ended.

The ’Cats beat Marquette Monday night 21-3, sealing third-year goalie Cara Nugent's win in her first career start. She allowed only three goals and pulled out a career high of seven saves throughout the game.

This 70% save percentage should put her at #2 in NCAA goalie save percentage rankings, just below Michigan’s third-year goalkeeper Erin O’Grady.

Monday’s win was a full team effort with nine different ’Cats racking up points, but fifth-year attacker Erin Coykendall stood out with four assists and two goals. In the third quarter, USA Lacrosse Magazine dubbed one of Coykendall’s goals as “putting defenders in a blender.”

Graduate transfer attacker Mary Schumar scored her first two goals of the season against her alma mater. Schumar leads Marquette in all-time assists with 115. With three assists Monday night, she’s looking to continue that trend here with the ’Cats.

In the fourth quarter, Northwestern introduced first-year midfielder Taylor Lapointe to the lineup. She notched two goals in the final five minutes of the match, signaling promising talent to come for the ’Cats.

Hopefully, the ’Cats will keep up this high energy throughout their away game against Colorado (3-0, 00 PAC-12) on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m.

Thumbnail photo by Maren Kranking/North by Northwestern.