Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
3-1
Central Michigan
0-3
No. 2 Northwestern Completes 2-0 Weekend, Downs Central Michigan 25-2
2/15/2026 5:24:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 2 Northwestern defeated Central Michigan 25-2 in the second game of its weekend back-to-back on Sunday inside Ryan Fieldhouse.
The Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) built an eight-goal first-quarter lead and accelerated to a commanding victory over the Chippewas (0-3, 0-0 MAC).
On her first goal of the afternoon, senior attacker Madison Taylor posted career point No. 369, surpassing Erin Coykendall for third all-time on the program's points leaderboard. Taylor scored a game-high five goals in the win.
"I think it's unbelievable," Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said of Taylor's accomplishment. "Erin is one of the most phenomenal players in the history of our program. These are some of the greats of all time. It's a pretty cool thing that she's come to this level. But for her, she just cares about her team and the success of the team. She just competes every day to try to put us in a great position."
Redshirt first-year attacker Jenna Soto led all scorers with eight points (four goals, four assists), burying all four of her shots. Soto is the first Northwestern player to post a seven-point game in her debut season since Selena Lasota did so against Michigan on April 2, 2015.
"I could not be more grateful to be out here with the team," said Soto, who missed the 2025 season due to injury. "The most rewarding part of it is being able to connect with my team again on the level of working with each other on the field and actually putting the pieces together that I worked on during recovery with my mindset and physical rehabilitation."
"Throughout my recovery, it was very eye-opening to see how amazing it is to be at Northwestern."
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster recorded four goals in the contest, extending her weekend tally to seven. Foster secured a hat trick less than eight minutes into the game.
Senior attacker Maddie Epke tallied two goals, an assist and four draw controls. First-year attacker Gabriella McCollester also added three points (one goal, two assists). Junior midfielders Noel Cumberland and Lauren Archer each posted two goals.
Graduate student attacker Olivia Adamson, first-year midfielder Sienna Connolly, redshirt first-year midfielder Annabelle Mahoney, sophomore midfielder Claire Marosi and junior attacker Taylor Lapointe all chipped in a goal.
Three goalkeepers — Jenika Cuocco, Francesca Argentieri and Cara Nugent — split time between the pipes and racked up a combined 10 saves on 12 shots on goal. They helped record the program's fewest goals allowed in a game since Feb. 11, 2018, against Detroit Mercy.
The Wildcats commanded the draw circle, winning 22 draw controls to Central Michigan's six. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Madison Smith pulled down a game-high eight draw controls, while Adamson recorded five.
The 'Cats rattled off 53 shots, their most in a game since at least 2007.
Northwestern scored the game's first 17 goals, running the clock less than three minutes into the second quarter.
"Having two games in two days is pretty tough," Amonte Hiller said. "We were obviously excited and amped up on day one, but we recognized that today is an opportunity to play the game we absolutely love. We want to take advantage of every opportunity that we get to play this game against someone else and try to get better."
The Wildcats will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 20, against Marquette inside Ryan Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
