Northwestern lacrosse has always known how to surpass itself.
It all started with the first regular season game in early February and ended a few months later at the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament. A program that has continuously shown grit, tenacity and community, this 2025 season was no exception to this display.
Regular season picture
Northwestern bolstered its roster at the beginning of the season, showing fruition all throughout. The Wildcats had only lost two games during the regular season, both at home and against the likes of then-No. 1 Boston College and then-No. 2 North Carolina. According to the Inside Lacrosse Women’s Division I Poll, Northwestern ranked No. 3 every single week, excluding their No. 2 rank the first week of the season before falling against Boston College. Besides those two defeats, the Wildcats outshined other opponents, scoring over 20 goals in four games and in double digits each regular season game except their loss to Boston College.
To keep up the momentum, the Wildcats understood they had to win key games to protect their high ranking and stay on track with their 2025 plan. Wins against ranked and potential rivals in the NCAA tournament were crucial, especially early on.
A visit to then-No. 6 Syracuse in late February was a perfect example. The Wildcats swept with a 12-8 victory, making it their first win against the Orange since 2012. Coveted third-year attacker Madison Taylor led with five goals and fourth-year midfielder Sam Smith led in draw controls, tallying 10. As one of the few games where the Wildcats won by a small margin, they knew how to control the game, dominating team statistics.
Towards the end of the season, Northwestern needed to keep up the energy. Although the Wildcats claimed their third consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season title against the Michigan Wolverines, they needed to seal the deal against Ohio State, their final confrontation before the Big Ten Tournament. After a comfortable 20-12 win, Taylor led the nation with the most goals scored at the time (83), and Northwestern was on its way to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
The roster’s work never went unnoticed, especially in decisive factors such as goals, assists and draw controls.
Big Ten Tournament magic
Turning the page, Northwestern now had to face the next phase in its 2025 plan: the Big Ten Tournament.
As the No. 1 rank in the Big Ten, the Wildcats weren’t in action until the semifinals, where they faced the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays in College Park, Md. In a game where there was no clear winner until the very end, Northwestern’s offense kept its focus. Just between Taylor and graduate attacker Niki Miles, there were nine goals scored for the Wildcats. Surpassing the Blue Jays in shots, turnovers and draw controls, Northwestern knew to keep the ball in its safety as much as possible. The Wildcats sealed their title appearance with a 16-15 win despite a neck-and-neck game that almost lasted three hours.
Only the home team, the Maryland Terrapins, were in the way of a third consecutive Big Ten Tournament title. Northwestern kept fans on the edge of their seats for this match, trailing the Terrapins until the fourth and final quarter. With two minutes left on the clock, Northwestern took its first lead with a goal from Taylor, making it 7-6. In the next minute, Maryland’s third-year midfielder Kori Edmondson had tied things up, but first-year attacker Aditi Foster scored the winning goal with 15 seconds left of play, in a way only Northwestern lacrosse could pull off.
Just like that, the Wildcats were Big Ten champions once again and looked toward bigger things on the horizon: the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Tournament lessons
After earning a first-round bye, Northwestern was up against Michigan in the second round. With home advantage, the Wildcats swept the Wolverines in a 15-7 win. Taylor scored 10 goals in that single game, breaking the NCAA record for most goals scored in a lacrosse tournament game. But that was not enough for Taylor. She knew she could do more — because that’s what this lacrosse team is about.
Going into the quarterfinals, the Wildcats defeated the University of Pennsylvania 17-12. And Taylor? She broke and surpassed the NCAA’s single-season scoring record, racking up 104 goals and finishing with 109 for the entire season.
Northwestern was officially final four bound. The Wildcats would then travel to Foxborough, Mass., to meet an old foe: No. 2 Boston College.
At the half, Boston College led 7-6 and the Wildcats knew they needed to change up their game plan as they left for the locker rooms. Once they were back on the field, it was as if the Friday afternoon energy and the in-game Wildcat support had reminded the Wildcats what they were capable of achieving.
In the third quarter, Boston College swamped Northwestern, scoring four goals to nil. When we thought the road ended here for the Wildcats, trailing 6-11, they went on a roll in the fourth quarter, scoring six goals, the most either of the two teams scored in a single quarter. With a standout game-high four goals and 10 shots from Taylor, the entire Northwestern crew sprinted onto the pitch at the final whistle, winning 13-12. The Wildcats would play their second consecutive lacrosse championship.
It all came down to No. 3 Northwestern and No. 1 North Carolina. The Wildcats knew they were facing an undefeated Tar Heels team. They knew they were facing a team they lost against in late March. Still, the Wildcats never lost hope.
Although the Wildcats opened the scoring with a goal from redshirt second-year attacker Abby LoCascio, they went on to have a difficult time catching up to North Carolina. Northwestern led in ground balls, showcasing defensive power, but fell short in draw controls, which would have been key to taking over offensively. In the end, the Tar Heels walked away with a 12-8 win, adding a fourth women’s lacrosse championship trophy to their name. Once again, the Wildcats came close to achieving a complete perfect season.
This does not change anything.
In the season preview I wrote back in February, I recall saying, “The disappointing result of a final matchup doesn’t take away from an incredible program.” I still stand by this. Season after season, the Wildcats have shown they can continue to compete against the best teams in the country and still put up a fight.
Sometimes, it’s about more than going home with the silverware. It’s about finding a moment to realize how far a team can get together. No one can take that away from Northwestern lacrosse.
