Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Kailey Zagst/Northwestern Athletics
Madison Taylor Selected as Honda Award Finalist for Third Consecutive Year
6/1/2026 4:12:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern senior attacker Madison Taylor has been named a finalist for the 2026 Honda Sport Award for Lacrosse, Chris Voelz — executive director of The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards (CWSA) — announced on Monday.
Taylor is the first three-time finalist for the award since Taylor Cummings (2014-2016). She is the first Wildcat to be named a finalist in three consecutive years since Kristen Kjellman did so from 2005 to 2007.
She joins Brigid Duffy (Army West Point), Reagan O'Brien (Johns Hopkins) and Chloe Humphrey (North Carolina) in the group of four finalists.
The Wantagh, N.Y., native recorded 97 goals, 42 assists, 23 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers and 62 draw controls in 2026. She was the only player in the country to post 100+ points and 50+ draw controls this season.
She scored an NCAA Tournament-high 28 points in four postseason contests, setting an NCAA Tournament career record with 91 points in 16 tournament games. On May 28, Taylor took home the 2026 Tewaaraton Award.
A two-time national champion, Taylor bookended her career in storybook fashion in the 2026 NCAA Championship Game against UNC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The attacker posted a game-high seven points, including a championship-record six assists, to help guide NU to a 14-11 win.
Taylor tied Izzy Scane's career points record in the final minutes, closing her college career with 483 points. Her 342 career goals rank second in program history. She is the first player in NCAA history to tally 450+ career points and 200+ career draw controls.
One of the nation's most consistent performers, Taylor started all 87 games NU has played since she arrived on campus ahead of the 2023 season. She scored at least one point in 68 consecutive games.
The announcement comes during a landmark moment for the organization, as the CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025-26 collegiate athletics season. For five decades, the Honda Sport Award has honored the nation's top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, symbolizing "the best of the best in collegiate athletics."
The recipient will become a finalist for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the Class of 2026 Honda Cup, to be presented live on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The lacrosse finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). The Honda Sport award winner for lacrosse will be announced later this week after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools.
Taylor is the first three-time finalist for the award since Taylor Cummings (2014-2016). She is the first Wildcat to be named a finalist in three consecutive years since Kristen Kjellman did so from 2005 to 2007.
She joins Brigid Duffy (Army West Point), Reagan O'Brien (Johns Hopkins) and Chloe Humphrey (North Carolina) in the group of four finalists.
The Wantagh, N.Y., native recorded 97 goals, 42 assists, 23 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers and 62 draw controls in 2026. She was the only player in the country to post 100+ points and 50+ draw controls this season.
She scored an NCAA Tournament-high 28 points in four postseason contests, setting an NCAA Tournament career record with 91 points in 16 tournament games. On May 28, Taylor took home the 2026 Tewaaraton Award.
A two-time national champion, Taylor bookended her career in storybook fashion in the 2026 NCAA Championship Game against UNC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The attacker posted a game-high seven points, including a championship-record six assists, to help guide NU to a 14-11 win.
Taylor tied Izzy Scane's career points record in the final minutes, closing her college career with 483 points. Her 342 career goals rank second in program history. She is the first player in NCAA history to tally 450+ career points and 200+ career draw controls.
One of the nation's most consistent performers, Taylor started all 87 games NU has played since she arrived on campus ahead of the 2023 season. She scored at least one point in 68 consecutive games.
The announcement comes during a landmark moment for the organization, as the CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025-26 collegiate athletics season. For five decades, the Honda Sport Award has honored the nation's top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, symbolizing "the best of the best in collegiate athletics."
The recipient will become a finalist for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the Class of 2026 Honda Cup, to be presented live on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The lacrosse finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). The Honda Sport award winner for lacrosse will be announced later this week after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools.
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