Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, February 20
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Marquette
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
No. 4 Northwestern Takes on Marquette in Friday Night Tilt
2/18/2026 1:04:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 4 Northwestern lacrosse will close its four-game homestand against Marquette on Friday night inside Ryan Fieldhouse. Opening draw is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
The matchup has the makings of an elite attacking duel, as the Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) boast the nation's No. 2 scoring offense (18 goals per game), while the Golden Eagles (3-0, 0-0 Big East) have an NCAA-best 18.67 goals per game.
LAST TIME OUT
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.
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.
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.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Madison Taylor ranks first in the NCAA in goals (19), second in points (29) and sixth in assists (10). She is the only player in the country in the top 10 in both goals and assists.
Jenika Cuocco leads the Big Ten and is second nationally with 35 saves. Her .547 save percentage ranks 14th in the NCAA.
Aditi Foster is tied for 10th in the NCAA in goals (12). The 'Cats are one of two teams with multiple players in the nation's top 10 goal scorers.
The Wildcats pull down 18 draw controls per game, a Big Ten leading figure that ranks fourth nationally.
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
The Golden Eagles have launched a commanding start to the 2026 campaign, outscoring their first three opponents 56-25. Marquette is looking to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2023 season.
Veteran attacker Tess Osburn leads the Golden Eagle offensive unit. The two-time Second Team All-Big East selection has scored a team-high 13 goals and added four assists this season. Reigning Big East Freshman of the Week Dani Serrano has tallied 10 goals and seven assists in the first three games of her collegiate career.
Goalkeeper Mikayla Yang backstops a Marquette defensive unit that has averaged 8.33 goals against per game. She has four saves in three starts.
The Golden Eagles landed four players on the preseason All-Big East Team: Osburn, midfielder Hannah Bodner, midfielder Lauren Grady and defender Mary Velner. Marquette was tabbed to finish fifth in the Big East Preseason Poll by conference coaches.
SERIES STUFF
Friday will mark the 11th meeting between the two schools in a series dating back to 2014. Northwestern holds a 10-0 record, most recently securing a 19-9 win over the Golden Eagles on March 7, 2025. The Wildcats have won the past two matchups by a combined margin of 40-12.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will travel to Long Island, N.Y., to face No. 16 Stony Brook on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game is slated for 10:30 a.m. CT on FloCollege.
The matchup has the makings of an elite attacking duel, as the Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) boast the nation's No. 2 scoring offense (18 goals per game), while the Golden Eagles (3-0, 0-0 Big East) have an NCAA-best 18.67 goals per game.
LAST TIME OUT
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.
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.
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.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Madison Taylor ranks first in the NCAA in goals (19), second in points (29) and sixth in assists (10). She is the only player in the country in the top 10 in both goals and assists.
Jenika Cuocco leads the Big Ten and is second nationally with 35 saves. Her .547 save percentage ranks 14th in the NCAA.
Aditi Foster is tied for 10th in the NCAA in goals (12). The 'Cats are one of two teams with multiple players in the nation's top 10 goal scorers.
The Wildcats pull down 18 draw controls per game, a Big Ten leading figure that ranks fourth nationally.
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
The Golden Eagles have launched a commanding start to the 2026 campaign, outscoring their first three opponents 56-25. Marquette is looking to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2023 season.
Veteran attacker Tess Osburn leads the Golden Eagle offensive unit. The two-time Second Team All-Big East selection has scored a team-high 13 goals and added four assists this season. Reigning Big East Freshman of the Week Dani Serrano has tallied 10 goals and seven assists in the first three games of her collegiate career.
Goalkeeper Mikayla Yang backstops a Marquette defensive unit that has averaged 8.33 goals against per game. She has four saves in three starts.
The Golden Eagles landed four players on the preseason All-Big East Team: Osburn, midfielder Hannah Bodner, midfielder Lauren Grady and defender Mary Velner. Marquette was tabbed to finish fifth in the Big East Preseason Poll by conference coaches.
SERIES STUFF
Friday will mark the 11th meeting between the two schools in a series dating back to 2014. Northwestern holds a 10-0 record, most recently securing a 19-9 win over the Golden Eagles on March 7, 2025. The Wildcats have won the past two matchups by a combined margin of 40-12.
UP NEXT
Northwestern will travel to Long Island, N.Y., to face No. 16 Stony Brook on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game is slated for 10:30 a.m. CT on FloCollege.
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