Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Four Wildcats Named IWLCA All-Americans
5/22/2025 1:30:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – Four stalwarts for No. 2 Northwestern were tabbed All-Americans by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association on Thursday.
Junior attacker Madison Taylor and senior defender Sammy White were tabbed First Team All-Americans while graduate defender Jane Hansen was placed on the Second Team and senior midfielder Sam Smith received Third Team honors.
Taylor is having a storybook season for the Wildcats, leading the country and rewriting the NCAA single season record with 105 goals while setting a new program record with 146 points (fourth most in NCAA history). The Tewaaraton Award finalist has notched 18 hat tricks in 20 games, scoring six or more goals 10 times. As the games have taken on added meeting, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year has risen to the occasion, netting 21 points on 16 goals and five assists in two NCAA Tournament contests. This is the second-straight year that she has earned IWLCA First Team All-American status.
Joining Taylor on the First Team is White, who was an IWLCA Second Team All-American in 2023. A unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection, White's efforts have anchored the Wildcats' third-ranked scoring defense (8.35 goals against per game). She leads NU with 44 ground balls and her 38 caused turnovers and 56 draw controls are the second most on the team.
Hansen has also helped lead the 'Cats' defensive efforts, causing a team-best 42 turnovers and ranking second on the team with 36 ground balls. A First Team All-Big Ten performer, Hansen was also named the Big Ten Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, helping hold tournament-host Maryland to one goal in the final 22:30 in an 8-7 comeback win in the title game. She has helped the 'Cats allow fewer than 10 goals in 13 of their 20 games this season, including 12 of their last 17 outings.
Smith's expertise in midfield is a big reason why the Wildcats boast the nation's fourth-best draw control percentage (.643). The First Team All-Big Ten pick snatched 177 of NU's 355 total draw controls, with its opponents winning only 197 draw controls. She helped the Wildcats post the nation's fifth-best draw control percentage (.642) in the nation to dominate possession. Smith has also fired home 19 goals and 20 points offensively.
The Wildcats take on No. 3 Boston College in the NCAA semifinal for a rematch of the last two national championship games on Friday, May 23. Opening draw is slated for 4:30 p.m. CT and the contest will be televised live on ESPNU.
Junior attacker Madison Taylor and senior defender Sammy White were tabbed First Team All-Americans while graduate defender Jane Hansen was placed on the Second Team and senior midfielder Sam Smith received Third Team honors.
Taylor is having a storybook season for the Wildcats, leading the country and rewriting the NCAA single season record with 105 goals while setting a new program record with 146 points (fourth most in NCAA history). The Tewaaraton Award finalist has notched 18 hat tricks in 20 games, scoring six or more goals 10 times. As the games have taken on added meeting, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year has risen to the occasion, netting 21 points on 16 goals and five assists in two NCAA Tournament contests. This is the second-straight year that she has earned IWLCA First Team All-American status.
IWLCA All-Americans ???? pic.twitter.com/hPKRXMNos8
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) May 22, 2025
Joining Taylor on the First Team is White, who was an IWLCA Second Team All-American in 2023. A unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection, White's efforts have anchored the Wildcats' third-ranked scoring defense (8.35 goals against per game). She leads NU with 44 ground balls and her 38 caused turnovers and 56 draw controls are the second most on the team.
Hansen has also helped lead the 'Cats' defensive efforts, causing a team-best 42 turnovers and ranking second on the team with 36 ground balls. A First Team All-Big Ten performer, Hansen was also named the Big Ten Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, helping hold tournament-host Maryland to one goal in the final 22:30 in an 8-7 comeback win in the title game. She has helped the 'Cats allow fewer than 10 goals in 13 of their 20 games this season, including 12 of their last 17 outings.
Smith's expertise in midfield is a big reason why the Wildcats boast the nation's fourth-best draw control percentage (.643). The First Team All-Big Ten pick snatched 177 of NU's 355 total draw controls, with its opponents winning only 197 draw controls. She helped the Wildcats post the nation's fifth-best draw control percentage (.642) in the nation to dominate possession. Smith has also fired home 19 goals and 20 points offensively.
The Wildcats take on No. 3 Boston College in the NCAA semifinal for a rematch of the last two national championship games on Friday, May 23. Opening draw is slated for 4:30 p.m. CT and the contest will be televised live on ESPNU.
Players Mentioned
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