When the clock hit zero following the Wildcats’ national championship win last Sunday, the curtain closed on an unforgettable season for Northwestern women’s lacrosse.
It was a season that had a rocky start, with losses to Syracuse, Colorado and Ohio State, but finished with the biggest win on the biggest stage in front of a roaring student section. The ‘Cats took down the Tar Heels 14-11, led offensively by star attacker Madison Taylor’s game-leading seven points.
However, though Maddy T, the Tewaaraton
Award-winner and No. 1 overall pick in the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) draft, was NU’s leader, many other Northwestern lacrosse players made their marks throughout the season, finishing their careers with the Wildcats enshrined as program legends.
Here are this year’s Northwestern lacrosse senior departures and what they have contributed to this national championship winning program:
Maddie Epke
One could argue Maddie Epke was one of the most impactful players for the Wildcats this year. Epke was the lead center for Northwestern, who took charge of receiving most of the draw controls for the ’Cats. Perhaps her most impactful contribution came in the ‘Cats’ regular season battle with North Carolina, where she recorded a whopping 15 draw controls during that game, along with a goal.
This year she scored 26 goals and 42 points, including a season high five goals against Johns Hopkins during the regular season. Drafted 15th overall in the inaugural WLL draft to the Boston Guard, she will be a player the Wildcats will miss in the draw circle for years to come.
Lucy Munro
Standing on the sideline with crutches after a hard fall was not how Lucy Munro wanted her national championship game to end, especially after such a stellar performance this season. She logged one goal each against JMU and Johns Hopkins during the NCAA tournament and put up nine total throughout the season.
Munro brought experience to a constantly changing Wildcat team during the transfer portal era. She played in 17 games her freshman season, bringing invaluable experience and poise following four consecutive runs to the national title game. Following Munro’s injury in the national championship win over North Carolina, NU Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller claimed that the team lost significant structural positioning and impact on offense, further reaffirming her role as a leader on the attack. The Wildcats will likely look towards some of the current junior and transfer attackers to try to replicate her impact in future seasons.
Annabel Child
Child forever left her mark on the Northwestern lacrosse program following her last second overtime goal to secure the Big Ten Championship trophy over Maryland. While only on Amonte Hiller’s squad for a year after transferring from Harvard, she made a massive impact on the season, especially by contributing two goals in the the ‘Cats major victory over North Carolina in the regular season.
Child worked an interesting position on the Northwestern offense. Naturally a midfielder, she was constantly moved to be a versatile attacker when mid-game penalties accumulated, which allowed the team to have a consistent shift when needed. At Harvard, she rarely, if ever, crossed the midfield line.
Northwestern took advantage of her incredible lacrosse IQ to place her in a versatile position where she could maximize her wide range of lacrosse skills. Having players who are smart yet versatile is something the Northwestern will likely want to work on developing in future years, after Child’s season proved to be a successful venture for the ‘Cats.
Olivia Adamson
As a transfer to Northwestern from Syracuse, Olivia Adamson brought immense talent and competitiveness following a 58 goal junior year. After missing much of her senior year with the Orange, Adamson contemplated retiring from lacrosse. Deciding to give it one more go, she put up a season high four goals against Marquette, finishing with 17 total goals on a year cut short.
With her she brought experience, starting in all 12 games she played in. She was also a master in the draw circle, commonly assisting Maddie Epke, recording a season high five draw controls against Central Michigan. Unfortunately her season was cut short due to physical limitations from her previous lower body injuries, but she proved to be a vital asset for the ‘Cats prior to her final game against USC during Lacrosse Day in Chicago.
Cara Nugent
After redshirting a year in 2022, Cara Nugent was much more prevalent in her earlier seasons with the Wildcats. Throughout her career, she had acted as a highly reliable second and third option between the pipes. During Northwestern’s run to the national championship in 2024, she posted 14 minutes in goal and contributed with a save against Penn. Off the field, she has been regarded as one of the most inspirational and uplifting members of the team, given a Sportsmanship All Big Ten Award in 2026.
Jenika Cuocco
Hopes were at an all time high when Northwestern landed Drexel transfer Jenika Cuocco. After outgoing Wildcat star Delaney Sweitzer graduated, the ’Cats needed someone to match the competitiveness and talent between the poles. Cuocco stepped up and propelled Northwestern to a .505 save percentage, third in the country, all whilst recording a tie to her career high with 18 saves against Maryland in the Big Ten Championship.
Many attribute Cuocco’s success in net as one of the core reasons why Northwestern was so dominant this season. Nationally recognized as one of the nation’s best, she was picked No. 14 overall to the Maryland Charm in the inaugural WLL draft. Furthermore, was placed on the All Big Ten Tournament Team, Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player and was named to the IWLCA All-American Second Team. Suffice it to say, Cuocco is an extremely talented player with some incredible numbers that the ‘Cats will be looking to replicate in years to come.
Who might we see step up?
Despite losing many star players, the ‘Cats have many additional players returning who contributed to this season’s success.
Taylor Lapointe put up 23 goals in 2025, followed by 36 in 2026. Gabriella McCollester is also a name to watch out for, scoring a staggering four goals as a first year in the National Championship game against UNC. Sophomore Aditi Foster, off an extremely successful first year of 12 goals for Northwestern, proved her worth with 54 goals on the season, becoming one of the most reliable scorers for the Wildcats. Two redshirt juniors, Abby LoCascio (nine goals this season) and Rachel Weiner (one goal this season), also proved to be promising for the year to come.
It will be exciting to see how Kelly Amonte Hiller attempts to approach this off season. After landing some incredible transfers in Maddie Epke from JMU and Jenika Cuocco from Drexel, this team is willing and ready to use the transfer portal. With nine championships and plenty of star power already secured, it will be fascinating to watch whether she stands pat or continues to look for more pieces that can push this roster over the top.
