Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, April 15
Evanston, Ill.
4 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
#22 Rutgers
'Cats Host No. 22 Rutgers in Wednesday Afternoon Conference Action
4/14/2026 1:55:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — After back-to-back road wins over then-No. 1 Maryland and then-No. 18 Penn State, No. 2 Northwestern lacrosse will host No. 22 Rutgers on Wednesday afternoon. Opening draw in Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT on B1G+.
The Wildcats (11-3, 5-1 Big Ten) have won six consecutive games and are tied for first in the conference standings with the Terrapins. Wednesday marks NU's ninth ranked matchup this season, as the 'Cats have seven ranked wins on the year, tied for their most in a regular season since 2018.
CLINCHING SCENARIOS
If Northwestern wins its final two regular-season games, hosting Rutgers and visiting Michigan, the Wildcats would be guaranteed at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. Since 2023, NU has won three consecutive outright conference championships.
With a win on Wednesday and a Maryland loss to Michigan on April 16, the 'Cats would clinch a share of the conference regular season title. A Terrapin win would eliminate the Wolverines from the championship race and set up a consequential weekend slate.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Northwestern leads the Big Ten in draw controls per game (17), scoring margin (6.21 goals per game), scoring offense (15.71 GPG), shots per game (34.5), shots on goal per game (24.43) and clearing percentage (92.8%).
436: Madison Taylor's career points tally, the most among all active NCAA Division I players. She and Izzy Scane are the only Wildcats to eclipse the 400-point mark. She ranks sixth all-time in career points, most recently surpassing two-time Tewaaraton Award winner Charlotte North (433) against Penn State. She is 47 points away from tying Scane's program record of 483 and 62 behind all-time leader Kylie Ohlmiller.
699: Jenika Cuocco's career saves figure, the highest among active NCAA DI players. With one save on Wednesday, Cuocco would become the only active DI player in the 700-save club.
537: Career draw controls for Maddie Epke. The figure ranks No. 7 in NCAA DI history and is first among all active players. Epke has pulled down 52 draw controls this season, most recently corralling 10 at Penn State.
400: Kelly Amonte Hiller's career win total, all of which have come at Northwestern. She is the sixth coach in NCAA DI women's lacrosse history to join the 400-win club and is one of two active coaches to have won 400 games at one Division I program.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind a nine-point performance from Madison Taylor (six goals, three assists), Northwestern defeated Penn State 17-12. Ten Wildcats scored goals in the win, with Aditi Foster and Noel Cumberland each posting a pair of tallies.
After facing a 5-4 deficit, NU launched a 7-0 run to distance itself from the Nittany Lions.
The 'Cats commanded the possession battle, outdrawing PSU 21-9. Epke led the effort in the circle, pulling down 10 draw controls.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
The Scarlet Knights (10-5, 4-2 Big Ten) enter Wednesday's contest following a 13-12 upset of then-No. 12 Michigan and a 21-7 win over Oregon. Rutgers has hit its stride as of late, winning five of its last six games.
Led by head coach Melissa Lehman, the Scarlet Knights are looking to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022.
Breakout sophomore Caroline Ling spearheads the Rutgers attack. She has recorded 78 points in 15 games. Lily Dixon and Kate Theofield have posted 55 and 54 points, respectively.
Senior Katie Buck has thrived in the draw circle, pulling down 142 draw controls in 2026.
Stella Quilty and Simone Koryszewski have split time in the cage, combining for 129 saves on a 45.4% save percentage.
SERIES STUFF
Wednesday will mark the 21st all-time meeting between the two programs. Northwestern has compiled a 19-1 record in the all-time series, most recently defeating Rutgers 15-6 on April 6, 2025.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats will play their regular-season finale at No. 11 Michigan on Saturday, April 18. Opening draw from Ann Arbor is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on B1G+.
The Wildcats (11-3, 5-1 Big Ten) have won six consecutive games and are tied for first in the conference standings with the Terrapins. Wednesday marks NU's ninth ranked matchup this season, as the 'Cats have seven ranked wins on the year, tied for their most in a regular season since 2018.
CLINCHING SCENARIOS
If Northwestern wins its final two regular-season games, hosting Rutgers and visiting Michigan, the Wildcats would be guaranteed at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. Since 2023, NU has won three consecutive outright conference championships.
With a win on Wednesday and a Maryland loss to Michigan on April 16, the 'Cats would clinch a share of the conference regular season title. A Terrapin win would eliminate the Wolverines from the championship race and set up a consequential weekend slate.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Northwestern leads the Big Ten in draw controls per game (17), scoring margin (6.21 goals per game), scoring offense (15.71 GPG), shots per game (34.5), shots on goal per game (24.43) and clearing percentage (92.8%).
436: Madison Taylor's career points tally, the most among all active NCAA Division I players. She and Izzy Scane are the only Wildcats to eclipse the 400-point mark. She ranks sixth all-time in career points, most recently surpassing two-time Tewaaraton Award winner Charlotte North (433) against Penn State. She is 47 points away from tying Scane's program record of 483 and 62 behind all-time leader Kylie Ohlmiller.
313: Taylor leads active NCAA DI players in career goals. She and Scane are the only players in Big Ten history to net 300-plus goals. With 68 goals in 14 games this season, Taylor has jumped into No. 2 in NU history and is tied for fifth all-time in NCAA history with Kennesaw State alum Siena Gore.Offensive Player of the Week ????@IWLCA pic.twitter.com/Ku129XH7ng
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 14, 2026
699: Jenika Cuocco's career saves figure, the highest among active NCAA DI players. With one save on Wednesday, Cuocco would become the only active DI player in the 700-save club.
537: Career draw controls for Maddie Epke. The figure ranks No. 7 in NCAA DI history and is first among all active players. Epke has pulled down 52 draw controls this season, most recently corralling 10 at Penn State.
400: Kelly Amonte Hiller's career win total, all of which have come at Northwestern. She is the sixth coach in NCAA DI women's lacrosse history to join the 400-win club and is one of two active coaches to have won 400 games at one Division I program.
400 wins and counting ?? pic.twitter.com/fSw8naFsfI
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 12, 2026
LAST TIME OUT
Behind a nine-point performance from Madison Taylor (six goals, three assists), Northwestern defeated Penn State 17-12. Ten Wildcats scored goals in the win, with Aditi Foster and Noel Cumberland each posting a pair of tallies.
SUNDAY DUB ?? #CatsWin pic.twitter.com/k62yzS4Xjn
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 12, 2026
After facing a 5-4 deficit, NU launched a 7-0 run to distance itself from the Nittany Lions.
The 'Cats commanded the possession battle, outdrawing PSU 21-9. Epke led the effort in the circle, pulling down 10 draw controls.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
The Scarlet Knights (10-5, 4-2 Big Ten) enter Wednesday's contest following a 13-12 upset of then-No. 12 Michigan and a 21-7 win over Oregon. Rutgers has hit its stride as of late, winning five of its last six games.
Led by head coach Melissa Lehman, the Scarlet Knights are looking to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022.
Breakout sophomore Caroline Ling spearheads the Rutgers attack. She has recorded 78 points in 15 games. Lily Dixon and Kate Theofield have posted 55 and 54 points, respectively.
Senior Katie Buck has thrived in the draw circle, pulling down 142 draw controls in 2026.
Stella Quilty and Simone Koryszewski have split time in the cage, combining for 129 saves on a 45.4% save percentage.
SERIES STUFF
Wednesday will mark the 21st all-time meeting between the two programs. Northwestern has compiled a 19-1 record in the all-time series, most recently defeating Rutgers 15-6 on April 6, 2025.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats will play their regular-season finale at No. 11 Michigan on Saturday, April 18. Opening draw from Ann Arbor is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on B1G+.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's LacrosseLacrosse - Cats Defeat No. 18 PSU 17-12 in Conference Road Win (04/12/26)
Sunday, April 12
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Friday, April 10
Lacrosse - Northwestern Rolls Past USC 11-5 on Lacrosse Day in Chicago (4/04/26)
Saturday, April 04
Lacrosse - Kelly Amonte Hiller Previews Lacrosse Day in Chicago on B1G Today (4/1/26)
Wednesday, April 01
