Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
15-3
#4 Maryland
16-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| Northwestern | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
'Cats Capture Fourth Consecutive Big Ten Tournament Title, Knock Off Maryland 8-7 in Overtime
4/26/2026 2:47:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — No. 2 Northwestern prevailed 8-7 over No. 4 Maryland in an overtime thriller to take home its fourth consecutive Big Ten Tournament championship on Sunday afternoon in U-M Lacrosse Stadium.
BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK ???????? pic.twitter.com/UXTzECJE3P
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 26, 2026
"Every time I went to the huddle, they were smiling," Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. "Even when things weren't going our way, they never let their mentality down. That was the biggest thing for us."
Graduate student midfielder Annabel Child buried the game-winner, her third of the game, with less than a second remaining in overtime. The dynamic transfer scooped three ground balls in the win. Child netted her first-career hat trick with her moment of magic.
THE WINNER! ??
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 26, 2026
'CATS WIN WITH JUST A SECOND LEFT IN OVERTIME!! ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/aVAVposi4m
The Wildcats (15-3, 7-1 Big Ten) are the first program in conference history to four-peat as tournament champions. NU's victory over the Terrapins (16-3, 6-2 Big Ten) marks its sixth Big Ten Tournament title and seventh consecutive win over UMD. Northwestern is the first-ever team to build a seven-game winning streak against Maryland.
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco delivered a performance for the record books as she guided the 'Cats to the title. Cuocco, the 2026 Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, tied her career-high with 18 saves on a 72% save percentage. Her shot-stopping display marked the most saves by a Big Ten goalie this season.
"All praise to my defense; they made my job so easy today and against Michigan," Cuocco said.
Cuocco set a new program single-game saves record and tied the tournament's single-game record. Her save percentage broke the program high mark in conference tournament play.
Jenika Cuocco appreciation post ??
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 26, 2026
?? Program single-game record 18 saves
?? 3 saves in overtime
?? .720 save percentage pic.twitter.com/uuP45PBI86
The graduate student made 10 stops in the first half as Northwestern held Maryland to the lowest scoring opening half in conference title game history. She recorded a trio of saves in overtime to keep the 'Cats in the contest.
"I'm just so grateful for the coaching staff having belief in me," Cuocco said. "This is why I came here. I wanted to win, and everyone bought into me."
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster fired in a pair of goals, while senior attacker Madison Taylor, junior attacker Taylor Lapointe and senior attacker Lucy Munro each added a goal. Taylor pulled down a team-high four draw controls as she finished her Big Ten Tournament career 8-0.
The Northwestern ride wreaked havoc on the Maryland transition game, with the Terrapins converting just 18-of-27 clears. The Wildcats racked up 12 caused turnovers in the win, with Taylor, senior attacker Maddie Epke and redshirt junior defender Jaylen Rosga nabbing two apiece.
While NU built a 3-1 halftime lead and extended the margin as high as four goals in the second half, a late Terrapin surge sent the game into overtime, knotted at 7-7. The extra frame proved a back-and-forth battle, with the 'Cats holding the ball into the final possession.
As the seconds ticked off the scoreboard, Child stepped into her shot and sent the decisive tally beyond Maryland goalkeeper JJ Suriano's reach.
Foster, Taylor, junior midfielder Noel Cumberland, Cuocco and Child were each named to the Big Ten's All-Tournament Team.
Your B1G All-Tournament Team ??
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 26, 2026
??Aditi Foster
??Noel Cumberland
??Jenika Cuocco
??Madison Taylor
??Annabel Child pic.twitter.com/ObpP9Xync8
The Wildcats have clinched the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Ranked No. 1 in the RPI, Northwestern awaits its postseason seeding. The 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, at 8 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
