Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
No. 3 'Cats Earn First Round NCAA Tournament Bye, Host Second Round on Sunday
5/4/2025 8:15:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – The Northwestern lacrosse team earned its third-straight bye to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will begin its quest for its ninth national title as the No. 3 seed. The Wildcats (16-2, 8-0 Big Ten) will welcome Akron and No. 11 Michigan to Evanston and Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium this weekend.
NU will square off against the winner of Friday's first round matchup (2 p.m. CT) between Michigan (12-6, 5-3 Big Ten) and Akron (11-7, 4-2 Mid-American) on Sunday, May 11 at a time TBD on ESPN+.
This is the sixth-straight season that Northwestern has hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. NU also advanced to host the quarterfinal round in each prior tournament. Overall, the Wildcats have hosted 33 NCAA Tournament games in Evanston under Big Ten Coach of the Year Kelly Amonte Hiller, going a perfect 33-0 in those postseason tilts.
The Wildcats enter the NCAA Tournament on an eight-game winning streak, claiming their third-straight Big Ten Conference regular season and tournament titles in the process. This marks Northwestern's 21st-straight NCAA Tournament appearance (26th all-time), a streak that began in 2004.
Northwestern is 56-12 (.824) in the NCAA Tournament under Amonte Hiller, winning eight national titles and finishing runner-up twice. NU advanced to the national semifinals in each of the past five NCAA Tournaments dating back to 2019 and reached the finals in the last two postseasons, including winning the 2023 national championship.
Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+.
NU will square off against the winner of Friday's first round matchup (2 p.m. CT) between Michigan (12-6, 5-3 Big Ten) and Akron (11-7, 4-2 Mid-American) on Sunday, May 11 at a time TBD on ESPN+.
Three Seed Secured ??
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) May 5, 2025
The 'Cats will play either Akron or Michigan at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in the Second Round on Sunday, May 11. pic.twitter.com/arN4tlzRF2
This is the sixth-straight season that Northwestern has hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. NU also advanced to host the quarterfinal round in each prior tournament. Overall, the Wildcats have hosted 33 NCAA Tournament games in Evanston under Big Ten Coach of the Year Kelly Amonte Hiller, going a perfect 33-0 in those postseason tilts.
The Wildcats enter the NCAA Tournament on an eight-game winning streak, claiming their third-straight Big Ten Conference regular season and tournament titles in the process. This marks Northwestern's 21st-straight NCAA Tournament appearance (26th all-time), a streak that began in 2004.
Northwestern is 56-12 (.824) in the NCAA Tournament under Amonte Hiller, winning eight national titles and finishing runner-up twice. NU advanced to the national semifinals in each of the past five NCAA Tournaments dating back to 2019 and reached the finals in the last two postseasons, including winning the 2023 national championship.
Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Lacrosse - 'Cats Fall to North Carolina in National Championship Game
Sunday, May 25
Lacrosse - NCAA Semifinal Postgame Press Conference (5/23/25)
Saturday, May 24
Lacrosse - Comeback 'Cats Take Down Boston College, 12-11, Advance to National Title Game (5/23/25)
Saturday, May 24
Lacrosse - Maddy Taylor Breaks NCAA Goals Record in Quarterfinal Win (5/15/25)
Thursday, May 15
