Northwestern
16-2
#12 Denver
15-4
No. 1 Northwestern Defeats No. 12 Denver 17-4 in Second Round of NCAA Championship, Scane Breaks NCAA All-Time Scoring Record
5/12/2024 4:08:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – On Sunday afternoon, top-seed Northwestern (16-2, 5-1 B1G) defeated No. 12 Denver (16-4, 5-0 BIG EAST) 17-4 in the second round of the NCAA Championship. The Wildcats advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 16 versus No. 8 Penn. The game will take place on home soil at Martin Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT (tickets).
BLAZING TRAILS ?? ?? #catswin pic.twitter.com/JNZKLG9Xxl
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) May 12, 2024
The Wildcats extended their home winning streak to an incredible 44 games, dating back to 2020.
In the victory, attacker Izzy Scane became the all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA history by registering her 359th career tally on her first goal of the game. She surpassed the record set by Charlotte North (358).
SHE'S DONE IT ???? pic.twitter.com/zTL5n86XCm
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) May 12, 2024
The Wildcats were led by Scane (5 goals, 1 assist), Madison Taylor (4 goals, 3 assists), and Erin Coykendall (2 goals, 2 assists). Samantha Smith (7) and Taylor (4) led the team in draw controls. Molly Laliberty made seven saves for NU.
For the record books ??
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) May 12, 2024
Izzy Scane scores her 3?5?9?th career goal ?? pic.twitter.com/A7tXk86SJ1
How It Happened
The Wildcats started off on fire, dominating the first quarter. Their potent offense didn't waste any time and the team controlled the draw circle. They led 8-1 at the end of the first frame. Scane finished the first half with 4 goals and Taylor registered a hat trick.
Northwestern blanked the Pioneers in the third quarter, while receiving additional goals from Scane and Taylor. After three frames, the 'Cats led 15-3. The fourth quarter saw two Wildcats score their first goals of the game, Mary Schumar and first-year Alexis Ventresca. NU bested the Pioneers in shots, 28-17, shots on goal, 20-11, and draw controls, 16-7. Denver committed 38 fouls to Northwestern's 16.
Game Notes
- Scane set the NCAA goal-scoring record (359) set by Charlotte North (358). Scane finished with 5 goals and an assist. She has scored 76 goals on the season.
- Madison Taylor now has 72 goals on the season.
- The Wildcats had eight different goal scorers in today's match (Dylan Amonte, Coykendall, Lindsey Frank, Scane, Mary Schumar, S. Smith, Taylor and Alexis Ventresca).
- NU beat Denver in the regular season, 14-10, in Evanston on March 8.
Up Next
Northwestern advances to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. The Wildcats will face No. 8 Penn who defeated Loyola Maryland 12-9 in the second round. The match will take place on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Martin Stadium in Evanston. Tickets can be purchased here.
The semifinals and championship game of the NCAA Tournament will be played on May 24 and 26 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
