Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, April 18
Ann Arbor, Mich.
5 p.m. CT
Northwestern
14-3, 8-1
9
at
7
#11 Michigan
11-6, 5-4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
No. 2 Northwestern Wins Fourth Consecutive Outright Big Ten Title
4/18/2026 8:07:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — No. 2 Northwestern knocked off No. 11 Michigan 9-7 to secure its fourth consecutive outright Big Ten regular season title on Saturday night in U-M Lacrosse Stadium.
The Wildcats (13-3, 7-1 Big Ten) set the tone early on a blustery night in Ann Arbor and battled back from a two-goal fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Wolverines (11-5, 5-3 Big Ten). With the win, NU has clinched the No. 1 seed and a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
This is the program's sixth Big Ten regular season title, tying Maryland for the most in conference history.
Senior attacker Madison Taylor led all scorers with four points (three goals, one assist) and netted the game-winning-goal with 5:46 left to play. In 16 regular-season games, Taylor led the Big Ten in goals (77) and points (104). The senior pulled down a team-high four draw controls in the win.
"We knew Michigan was a great opponent, and we knew it was gonna be hard," Taylor told Big Ten Network postgame. "We just loved every second of it."
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster fired in three goals. Foster has amassed at least two points in eight consecutive games.
Junior attacker Taylor Lapointe, senior attacker Lucy Munro and junior midfielder Noel Cumberland added goals. Cumberland has now recorded at least a point in 14 consecutive games, a career-best streak for the Fallston, Md., native.
In a battle of elite netminders, graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco posted seven saves on a 50% save percentage. Cuocco tallied a pair of ground balls and a caused turnover.
The Wildcats outdrew the Wolverines 9-8, with Taylor pacing the effort on the circle. Senior attacker Maddie Epke and Cumberland each pulled down a pair of draw controls. The team's possessional prowess included just seven lost turnovers — NU's fewest against a ranked opponent since May 19, 2018, against No. 2 North Carolina.
Northwestern built a 3-1 halftime advantage, surrendering its fewest goals in a first half against a ranked opponent since Feb 21, 2025, against then-No. 25 Colorado.
Michigan jumped ahead 7-5 just over a minute into the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats launched a 4-0 run to prevail 9-7. Northwestern has won 13 conference championships in program history.
The 'Cats await the winner of No. 4 seed Michigan and No. 5 seed Penn State for their second round Big Ten Tournament matchup at U-M Lacrosse Stadium on Friday, April 24. Opening draw from U-M Lacrosse Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
The Wildcats (13-3, 7-1 Big Ten) set the tone early on a blustery night in Ann Arbor and battled back from a two-goal fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Wolverines (11-5, 5-3 Big Ten). With the win, NU has clinched the No. 1 seed and a first round bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
This is the program's sixth Big Ten regular season title, tying Maryland for the most in conference history.
Bringing some hardware back home to Evanston ?? pic.twitter.com/lqKlLqzw5t
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 19, 2026
Senior attacker Madison Taylor led all scorers with four points (three goals, one assist) and netted the game-winning-goal with 5:46 left to play. In 16 regular-season games, Taylor led the Big Ten in goals (77) and points (104). The senior pulled down a team-high four draw controls in the win.
"We knew Michigan was a great opponent, and we knew it was gonna be hard," Taylor told Big Ten Network postgame. "We just loved every second of it."
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster fired in three goals. Foster has amassed at least two points in eight consecutive games.
Junior attacker Taylor Lapointe, senior attacker Lucy Munro and junior midfielder Noel Cumberland added goals. Cumberland has now recorded at least a point in 14 consecutive games, a career-best streak for the Fallston, Md., native.
In a battle of elite netminders, graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco posted seven saves on a 50% save percentage. Cuocco tallied a pair of ground balls and a caused turnover.
The Wildcats outdrew the Wolverines 9-8, with Taylor pacing the effort on the circle. Senior attacker Maddie Epke and Cumberland each pulled down a pair of draw controls. The team's possessional prowess included just seven lost turnovers — NU's fewest against a ranked opponent since May 19, 2018, against No. 2 North Carolina.
Northwestern built a 3-1 halftime advantage, surrendering its fewest goals in a first half against a ranked opponent since Feb 21, 2025, against then-No. 25 Colorado.
Michigan jumped ahead 7-5 just over a minute into the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats launched a 4-0 run to prevail 9-7. Northwestern has won 13 conference championships in program history.
The 'Cats await the winner of No. 4 seed Michigan and No. 5 seed Penn State for their second round Big Ten Tournament matchup at U-M Lacrosse Stadium on Friday, April 24. Opening draw from U-M Lacrosse Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
NORTHWES
MICHIGAN
Shots
31
21
Turnovers
7
9
Caused Turnovers
7
6
Draw Controls
9
8
Free-Position Shots
6
6
Ground Balls
9
10
Game Leaders
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
3
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-120
GB
1
CT
1
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
G
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's LacrosseM
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's LacrosseA
/ Women's LacrosseLacrosse - Wildcats Earn Fourth-Straight Big Ten Title With 9-7 Win vs. Michigan
Sunday, April 19
Lacrosse - Lake Show Handles Business Against No. 22 Rutgers, 18-6 (4/15/2026)
Thursday, April 16
Lacrosse - Cats Defeat No. 18 PSU 17-12 in Conference Road Win (04/12/26)
Sunday, April 12
Lacrosse - ‘Cats Knock Off No. 1 Maryland 11-10 (4/09/26)
Friday, April 10
