No. 1 Northwestern flexed its offensive prowess in a dominant XX-XX win over No. 22 James Madison in a Mother’s Day battle on Sunday afternoon.
Under a partly cloudy sky at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, the ‘Cats showcased why they entered the NCAA Tournament as its top seed. NU now has 22-straight NCAA tournament appearances with at least one victory.
Madison Taylor scored a season-high eight goals on 13 shots, including netting a hat trick in the first quarter alone. Aditi Foster
added four goals, while Noel Cumberland had two. The ‘Cats forced 12 turnovers from JMU and had 26 shots on target, compared to just 12 for the Dukes.
It was a high-scoring first quarter for NU as its offense came out aggressive early. Maddie Epke won the draw to start, and both teams exchanged attacks looking for a fast start. NU drew first blood, as Madison Taylor dished a nice shot from Taylor Lapointe to put the ‘Cats up 1-0 just three minutes into the first quarter.
Another possession from JMU was shut down by NU after Cuocco forced a turnover. The ‘Cats turned defense-to-offense with a strong counter attack. Taylor picked up a blocked shot just outside the goal and tossed it in for her second score in as many minutes.
The Dukes got on the board shortly after. Josie Pell ricketed a shot off Cuocco to cut Northwestern’s lead in half. JMU won the subsequent draw control and threatened to tie the game on a free position, but Cuocco made a strong save to preserve Northwestern’s lead.
NU’s offense rewarded Cuocco’s efforts on the ensuing possession. Aditi Foster drilled a nicely angled shot just under the cross bar to put the ‘Cats up 3-1 with 6:38 remaining in the first frame.
The Wildcats’ defense continued to hold firm with Madison Smith forcing a turnover. Again, the ‘Cats capitalized on the other end, as Maddie Epke positioned herself on the left side of the net and found Taylor inside for the score. In just 11 minutes of play, Taylor had already secured her hat trick.
Despite the ‘Cats widening their lead, James Madison stayed within striking distance as it quickly scored on the other end. Bre McVicker hit a beautiful angle with a cross shot to the right of Cuocco to make it a 4-2 Northwestern lead as the first-quarter clock ticked under three minutes.
The back-and-forth battle continued with more excellent play from Northwestern’s offense. After Epke won the draw control, Noel Cumberland drew a foul near the crease and nailed her free position with a nicely timed release to put NU back up by three.
The 5-2 score held firm for the remaining minutes of the first quarter, which was capped off by Epke’s second forced turnover of the day.
The second frame began with two strong defensive possessions, as both teams exchanged turnovers. Despite Child forcing one from JMU, the ‘Cats couldn’t complete the clearance and the ball ended up back in the Dukes’ hands. James Madison’s Olivia Matthews took advantage moments later on a nice dish from Brianna Mennella that was initially ruled a score, but it was overturned due to a penalty on the follow-through.
NU’s 5-2 lead held intact, and the ‘Cats made another successful offensive push with 10:42 left in the half. Lapointe found Lucy Munro in the front of the crease, and she converted a bouncer-shot with four JMU defenders around her for the ‘Cats’ first goal of the second frame.
But again, JMU refused to go away. The Dukes put together a nicely developed possession culminating in a shovel-shot from Matthews that found the net.
On a subsequent draw control won by the ‘Cats, Taylor nearly netted another goal, but the shot hit the post. However, just a minute later, Jaylen Rosga caused NU’s ninth forced giveaway that NU scooped up and took on a forceful counter. Child located Taylor with a beautiful assist, and this time Taylor was able to cash it in on a quick-release for her fourth goal of the afternoon.
A similar pattern ensued with 6:14 left in the half – the Dukes committed a turnover, and the ‘Cats made them pay with their eight goal of the afternoon, this one coming from Epke on a free position after she drew a foul attacking inside. NU’s lead had ballooned to 8-3 with 6:14 left in the half.
NU’s offense cooled off for a few minutes after that onslaught, as the ‘Cats’ defense continued to hold firm and prevent JMU from finding quality shots on target. But Taylor made sure to punctuate the half on a bang. With 49 seconds left in the frame, she carved her way through three defenders for her fifth goal, giving Northwestern a 9-3 advantage heading into the locker room.
Despite JMU winning the draw control 7-6, NU’s offense was strikingly more impactful, hitting 14 shots on goal compared to just seven for the Dukes. The ‘Cats also forced 10 turnovers and committed just six. Taylor spearheaded NU’s attack with five goals and eight shots.
NU’s offense picked up right where it left off in the second half. Child earned her first goal of the game by keeping her stick high and sharply flinging a shot through the net on the assist from Epke.
Meanwhile, the ‘Cats’ defense remained stout, as Cuocco picked up her fifth save and NU forced a shot clock violation as JMU struggled to find any success on the attack.
The ‘Cats then rattled off three goals in a span of two minutes to blow this game open. On the ensuing attack, Foster hit an impressive shot from long range on Epke’s fourth assist of the game. Just moments later, Taylor continued her masterful offensive performance with her sixth goal of the day. But NU didn’t stop there – Epke won another draw control, and Foster earned her hat trick on a nice pass from Kate Ratanaproeksa. Those goals widened the ‘Cats’ lead to double-digits.
JMU tacked on its first goal of the frame with 2:04 to play, but the damage was already done, as NU outscored the Dukes 4-1 in the third quarter and left it with a 13-4 lead.
The final frame saw more of the same from NU – dominant offense that was led by Taylor. She netted a free position shot in the first minute, her seventh on the day. Both teams traded goals afterward, with Cumberland punching in her second of the afternoon to put the ‘Cats back up by double digits. The Dukes got their sixth goal on a nice behind-the-back shot, but the ‘Cats countered with Foster’s fourth goal, as she executed a quick release on a dime from Ratanaproeksa. Shortly after, Taylor surpassed her previous single-game season high with her eighth goal. That capped off an illustrious offensive performance, with the ‘Cats outlasting JMU 17-5.
The ‘Cats will now prepare for a quarterfinals matchup on Thursday. They’ll be facing the winner between Colorado and Denver.
