2026 Northwestern Lacrosse preview

Everyone’s favorite winter/spring sport is back in just a few days, and this year, they have the chance to finish the season with a bang.

Northwestern lacrosse is ready to prove once more just how good they are at what they do. Now more than ever, it is exciting to be following women’s lacrosse, especially heading into this year’s NCAA Final Four. North by Northwestern is here to analyze how the Wildcats can look to make history this time around.

Bounce back from last season

For the second consecutive year, Northwestern lacrosse was one step away from winning the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship. The Wildcats fell against No. 1 North Carolina 8-12, trailing the entire game. Still, they won their third consecutive Big Ten Tournament title, this time against Maryland. They now have the chance to bounce back from last May’s rough path.

The team released its season schedule on Jan. 6, and as things go into full force, the Wildcats will be facing familiar foes and robust programs before heading into postseason action.

They start strong against Boston College. Last season, they faced off twice, splitting victories – the Eagles took a regular season win, and the Wildcats took the NCAA semifinal win. Both continue to set the bar in women’s lacrosse, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being a neck-and-neck matchup.

In the schedule there are also games against Syracuse and North Carolina. Last season, Northwestern faced then-ranked No. 6 Syracuse, taking a 12-8 win. Ranked opponents are always tricky, especially on rival territory, but the Wildcats’ scoring ability has surpassed the Orange in their last two encounters. Against North Carolina is where we can never be too sure about a winner. Northwestern hasn’t claimed a victory against the Tar Heels since the 2024 season, so it’ll be one of their most anticipated matches.

For Big Ten slates, opponents to keep an eye on are Johns Hopkins and Maryland. Interestingly enough, the Wildcats won comfortably against both during the regular season last year, but found themselves against the wall when facing them in the Big Ten Tournament. Both teams stood in the nation’s Top 10.

Regular and postseason team forms may vary depending on the program, but Northwestern can’t let its guard down.

Roster superstars and updates

Northwestern will be graced with the likes of fourth-year attacker Madison Taylor in her final showdown. Taylor’s influence on the team has never gone unnoticed, and breaking the NCAA’s single-season scoring record last season (she made 109 goals) is just one way to look at it. Just a few weeks ago, Taylor was featured on the cover of Inside Lacrosse’s latest magazine issue, emphasizing her focus on her final lake show as a Wildcat. It’ll surely be a year to remember.

New faces have also been welcomed into the Wildcat family. The transfers list, specifically, is a sign of offensive, attacking and guarding strategies head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller hopes to implement.

On attack, Northwestern welcomes graduate student Olivia Adamson from Syracuse. Despite missing most of last season due to a lower body injury, Adamson brings 129 goals and 61 assists under her belt in four years with the Orange. She will make a crucial pair with Taylor upfront. Then there is fourth-year Maddie Epke, who comes off a historical three-year tenure at James Madison. There, she made program history by ranking first in career draw controls (485) and was even nominated for the Tewaaraton Award.

Hailing from the Ivy League is graduate midfielder Annabel Child. In 2025, she was named First Team All-Ivy League, showing an impeccable performance in ground balls and turnovers at Harvard. She is an asset in defensive play, but, according to Amonte Hiller, also a versatile player. Finally, Northwestern brought in graduate goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco. Straight from Drexel, Cuocco had a fruitful 2025 season, registering 173 saves with a .493 save percentage. She will be an elevating addition to a team that allowed the fewest goals in the Big Ten last year (9.07).

These five Wildcats have been selected for the USA Lacrosse Division I Preseason All-American, making Northwestern figure as a potent national program.

The NCAA Final Four landscape

This year, the Wildcats have the opportunity to take the championship title home while playing at home. A year ago, Northwestern was named host of the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship, with semifinals to be played May 22 and the championship May 24, all right in our own backyard at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

The Wildcats will have to earn their spot in the Final Four, but having the action right by the lakefill is enough incentive in their journey. With the amount of support the team sees playing at home in the regular season, just picture the scenery when all the nation’s eyes are on Evanston.

Time to draw control

The Wildcats have been ranked No. 2 in the USA Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20, foreshadowing a promising four months ahead of us.

Every season, the question for the Wildcats isn’t whether they will make it to the NCAA championship but rather how they will get there, and it’s the same this time around.

Lacrosse is slated to start its regular season in Chestnut Hill, Mass. against Boston College on Feb. 6.