No. 2 Northwestern lacrosse delivered its highest-scoring performance in Big Ten play this season, overwhelming Rutgers 18-6 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The ‘Cats (12-3, 6-1 B1G) extended their win streak to seven games, including three straight against ranked teams, and earned their second victory of the season outside on the lakefront. Unlike the ‘Cats’ most recent contests, which were far more contentious, this game was pure dominance by Northwestern
from beginning to end, as the ‘Cats won every quarter over Rutgers (10-6, 4-3 B1G) by at least two goals.
Madison Taylor, who was the No. 1 pick in the PLL College Draft on Wednesday, scored six goals and added two assists and four draw controls, while Aditi Foster added three goals. Although the offensive onslaught was the primary story, Jenika Cuocco did a strong job in goal, recording 10 stops with a 66.7% save percentage.
The ‘Cats jumped out to an early 4-0 lead over the first 12 minutes, with a coast-to-coast goal from Noel Cumberland opening the scoring three minutes in. Madison Taylor, the Big Ten’s leading goal scorer, added her first score of the afternoon, before Cumberland netted her second while splitting two defenders. Maddie Epke scored the fourth goal on a deflection in front of the crease.
Rutgers got on the board to close the quarter, but the ‘Cats went right back to work in the second quarter. Two goals came from Aditi Foster, the first one coming on a quick catch-and-shoot after receiving an inbounds pass from behind the cage. Taylor followed with two goals of her own, one beautifully assisted by Taylor Lapointe who found the star senior cutting inside. Foster tacked on one more goal before halftime, while the Scarlet Knights added one of their own to mirror the first quarter — a 4-1 edge for NU, and an 8-2 halftime lead.
The third quarter was the most lopsided for the Wildcats, as they outscored Rutgers 6-2 in the frame. Lapointe got her first of the game on a dish from Taylor behind the crease. Cumberland also cemented a career-day with her third goal of the game, while Taylor secured three of her six scores on the afternoon in the third quarter alone. Although the Wildcat defense allowed two goals, Lauren Archer recorded her first goal on a reception from Taylor — her second assist — to put the ’Cats up 14-4 after three quarters.
With the rout underway in Evanston, NU scored four more goals in the final frame, with Foster and LaPointe picking up their third and second, respectively. Jenna Soto put an exclamation point on the contest with a slick shovel-shot finish, finding the back of the net for her first goal of the afternoon.
Up next, Northwestern will travel to Ann Arbor to face No. 11 Michigan on Saturday, in a game where the ‘Cats could clinch the Big Ten regular season title for the fourth consecutive year.
