Northwestern University Athletics
Coaches Select Northwestern Lacrosse as Unanimous Big Ten Preseason Favorite
2/4/2026 2:07:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Northwestern is the unanimous favorite to win its third consecutive Big Ten Conference women's lacrosse regular season title, according to a vote of the league's coaches.
Maddie Epke, Madison Taylor and Mary Carroll have been recognized as Big Ten Players to Watch this season.
The Wildcats finished last season with a 19-3 record after making it to the NCAA final and falling to No. 1 North Carolina. They also won the regular season and conference tournament last year.
Epke, a senior transfer from James Madison, was an IWLCA, ILWomen and USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American. At her previous school, she was a five-time AAC Attack Player of the Week, posting at least one point in all 19 games she started in.
Taylor is beginning her senior season at Northwestern after three years with the program. In 2025, she broke the NCAA record for most goals in a season (109) and was also the national leader in goals per game (4.95), points (158) and points per game (7.18). Taylor was also named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
Carroll looks to kick off her second season with the 'Cats after making the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2025. Carroll started in all 22 games and recorded a total of 25 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers.
The Wildcats are led by Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, who guided the team to its third consecutive National Championship game last season. Last season, she was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the third year in a row.
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will host this year's NCAA Tournament semifinal and championship rounds on Friday, May 22 and Sunday, May 24, respectively.
2026 BIG TEN WOMEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL
1. Northwestern (Unanimous)
2. Maryland
3. Johns Hopkins
4. Michigan
5. Penn State
6. USC
7. Rutgers
8. Ohio State
9. Oregon
2026 BIG TEN WOMEN'S LACROSSE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ava Angello, Sr., A, Johns Hopkins
Lacey Downey, Jr., M, Johns Hopkins
Reagan O'Brien, Sr., D, John Hopkins
Kori Edmondson, Sr., M, Maryland
Kayla Gilmore, So., M, Maryland
JJ Suriano, Jr., GK, Maryland
Grace Callahan, Sr., D, Michigan
Ava Class, Gr., M, Michigan
Calli Norris, Sr., A, Michigan
Mary Carroll, So., D, Northwestern
Madison Epke, Sr., A, Northwestern
Madison Taylor, Sr., A, Northwestern
Camryn Callaghan, Sr., A, Ohio State
Jocelyn Torres, Sr., GK, Ohio State
Kate Tyack, Jr., A, Ohio State
Lexi Jenkins, Jr., M, Oregon
Gabby Santucci, Jr., A, Oregon
Anna Simmons, Sr., M, Oregon
Rocquette Allen, Fr., A, Penn State
Erika Ho, Sr., A, Penn State
Sydney Manning, Jr., GK, Penn State
Lily Dixon, Sr., A, Rutgers
Hilary Elsner, So., A, Rutgers
Charlee Thomas, So., D, Rutgers
Hannah Barron, RS-Jr., M, USC
Emma Bunting, Jr., A, USC
Reese Robinson, Jr., A, USC
Northwestern opens the season this Friday, Feb. 6, against No. 3 Boston College. The game begins at 4 p.m. CT in Chestnut Hill, Mass. and will be broadcast on ACCNX.
Maddie Epke, Madison Taylor and Mary Carroll have been recognized as Big Ten Players to Watch this season.
The Wildcats finished last season with a 19-3 record after making it to the NCAA final and falling to No. 1 North Carolina. They also won the regular season and conference tournament last year.
Epke, a senior transfer from James Madison, was an IWLCA, ILWomen and USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American. At her previous school, she was a five-time AAC Attack Player of the Week, posting at least one point in all 19 games she started in.
Taylor is beginning her senior season at Northwestern after three years with the program. In 2025, she broke the NCAA record for most goals in a season (109) and was also the national leader in goals per game (4.95), points (158) and points per game (7.18). Taylor was also named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
Carroll looks to kick off her second season with the 'Cats after making the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2025. Carroll started in all 22 games and recorded a total of 25 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers.
The Wildcats are led by Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, who guided the team to its third consecutive National Championship game last season. Last season, she was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the third year in a row.
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will host this year's NCAA Tournament semifinal and championship rounds on Friday, May 22 and Sunday, May 24, respectively.
2026 BIG TEN WOMEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL
1. Northwestern (Unanimous)
2. Maryland
3. Johns Hopkins
4. Michigan
5. Penn State
6. USC
7. Rutgers
8. Ohio State
9. Oregon
2026 BIG TEN WOMEN'S LACROSSE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ava Angello, Sr., A, Johns Hopkins
Lacey Downey, Jr., M, Johns Hopkins
Reagan O'Brien, Sr., D, John Hopkins
Kori Edmondson, Sr., M, Maryland
Kayla Gilmore, So., M, Maryland
JJ Suriano, Jr., GK, Maryland
Grace Callahan, Sr., D, Michigan
Ava Class, Gr., M, Michigan
Calli Norris, Sr., A, Michigan
Mary Carroll, So., D, Northwestern
Madison Epke, Sr., A, Northwestern
Madison Taylor, Sr., A, Northwestern
Camryn Callaghan, Sr., A, Ohio State
Jocelyn Torres, Sr., GK, Ohio State
Kate Tyack, Jr., A, Ohio State
Lexi Jenkins, Jr., M, Oregon
Gabby Santucci, Jr., A, Oregon
Anna Simmons, Sr., M, Oregon
Rocquette Allen, Fr., A, Penn State
Erika Ho, Sr., A, Penn State
Sydney Manning, Jr., GK, Penn State
Lily Dixon, Sr., A, Rutgers
Hilary Elsner, So., A, Rutgers
Charlee Thomas, So., D, Rutgers
Hannah Barron, RS-Jr., M, USC
Emma Bunting, Jr., A, USC
Reese Robinson, Jr., A, USC
Northwestern opens the season this Friday, Feb. 6, against No. 3 Boston College. The game begins at 4 p.m. CT in Chestnut Hill, Mass. and will be broadcast on ACCNX.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's LacrosseLacrosse - '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
