Big Ten lacrosse is a top-heavy conference, in that there is a clear delineation between the likes of Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Maryland – and the rest of the pack. The top three are virtually impossible for the rest of the conference to defeat; at least that was the case in 2026. Let us take a quick look toward the 2027 season.
Northwestern 19-3, (7-1 Big-10, 1st)
In 2026, the Wildcats went all the way and were the NCAA women’s lacrosse
champions with the defeat of North Carolina, 14-11. They last won the championship in 2023, and were the runner-up in 2025.
The big star of NW was Sr. Madison Taylor, and the Wildcats rode her points output all season. She scored twice as many points as the next-highest scorer, Aditi Foster, followed by Jr. Taylor Lapointe and Sr. Maddie Epke.
Gr. Jenika Cuocco was the primary goalie having started all 22 games during the season. The backup goalies were inconsequential, with Cuocco playing nearly all the minutes of every game.
The Wildcats always reload, and in spite of seniors and graduate seniors moving on, there is plenty of proven younger talent in all four position groups. Head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller has been to the NCAA tournament 22 seasons straight, and has won 9 championships and been runner-up in three seasons, so has been in the championship over half the time since 2004. Count on Northwestern to compete for Big Ten and NCAA titles again next season.
Johns Hopkins 17-5, (6-2 Big-10, T-2nd)
The Blue Jays started Division I play in 1999, in the American Lacrosse Conference until the ALC disbanded in 2014. They joined the Big Ten starting in the 2017 season, and have made consecutive NCAA tournament appearances since 2018. While they have been a strong national team, 2026 was the year where they finally broke through, advancing to the Final Four, where they were knocked out by Northwestern.
Johns Hopkins’ attack was led by the three-headed dragon of Sr. Ava Angello, Jr. Taylor Hoss, and Jr. Lacey Downey. But the next five highest scorers were all true freshmen!
The primary goalie for the ‘26 run was So. Ashley Langdon.
Head coach Tim McCormack has improved the Blue Jays every year in his first four years at the helm of JH. He has an impressive record with who he has recruited, and what he has been able to get out of a young team. Consider that out of a roster of 40, only 6 players were seniors. This is a team that doesn’t need to reload, as most of their players from the 2026 Final Four team will be back at it in 2027.
Maryland 18-4, (6-2 Big-10, T-2nd)
Head coach Cathy Reese has been leading the Terps since 2007. Maryland has been to the NCAA tournament every season under her leadership, and has been to the Final Four 13 times; three times as runner-up and five times as NCAA champions. The Terps faced runner-up North Carolina in the semifinal; a 16-6 loss in which Maryland fell behind in the second period and could not rebound.
Maryland’s attack was led by Jr. Lauren LaPointe, Gr. Kristen Shanahan, and Sr. Kori Edmondson. In fact, four of five of the top scorers were graduates.
Their draw control leader was So. Kayla Gilmore, and primary goalie was Jr. JJ Suriano.
The Terrapins have plenty of returning talent coming back in 2027. If they want to return to the Final Four, then players will have to step in and cover the scoring production of the departing seniors and graduates.
Michigan 13-7, (5-3 Big-10, 4th)
Head coach Hannah Nielsen was in her ninth season leading the Wolverines this year. In the past five seasons, she has kept Michigan in the top third of the Big Ten, and taken them to the NCAA tournament five seasons in a row.
This year, Michigan lost to Northwestern in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. They made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they let a won game get away from them in the fourth period, losing to Stanford 13-12.
The primary scorers were Jr. Emma Bradbury, Sr. Calli Norris, and Gr. Ava Class. Two of the next three scorers were also seniors.
Far and away, So. Emma Burke was the draw control leader. Fr. Elizabeth Johnson was outstanding as goalie, and started every game of the season.
2026 had nearly even divisions of all classes, but because they were heavily dependent upon seniors for offensive production, it remains to be seen whether Michigan can gain in the rankings. More likely, they’ll stay about where they have been, because it’s difficult to break into the top ranks of the Big Ten.
Penn State 12-7, (4-4-Big-10, T-5th)
2026 was Kayla Treanor’s first season as PSU’s head coach. The Nittany Lions may have lost in the first round of the Big Ten tournament (to Michigan) and the first round of the NCAA tournament (to Stanford), but the losses could not dampen a very good first season in a spectacularly difficult lacrosse conference.
PSU’s three leading scorers were Jr. Delaney Radin, Jr. Kelly MacKinney, and Fr. Rocquette Allen.
Sr. Emma Kelly was the draw control leader, with Jr. Sydney Manning being their primary goalkeeper.
2026’s team was very young – out of the roster of 38 players, 29 were underclassmen. That you would have so many youngsters is not a surprise with a first-year coach. That this team would do as well as they did is notable, and with a huge majority of their talent pool returning, don’t be surprised if the Nittany Lions creep up in the rankings next season.
Rutgers 11-9, (4-4-Big-10, T-5th)
Melissa Lehman has been Rutgers’ head coach for seven seasons now. She’s had a successful run so far – while Rutgers has just three NCAA appearances in those seven seasons, they had just one in the 43 seasons prior.
Scoring leaders for the Scarlet Knights were So. Caroline Ling, Fr. Kate Theofield, and Sr. Lily Dixon. The next three scorers are not seniors and will be back in 2027.
Sr. Katie Buck was the draw control leader. Goalkeeping had So. Stella Quilty playing 653 minutes, and Gr. Simone Koryszewski played 411 minutes.
Rutgers is also a young team, with only nine graduates or seniors. This is another team that could be positioned for improvement in 2027.
Ohio State 9-8, (3-5 Big-10, 7th)
Amada Moore has been head coach for three seasons. In her first two seasons, the Buckeyes only won a single conference game each season. In 2026, they won three – against Oregon, Rutgers, and USC. (It should be noted that they almost pulled off an upset against Northwestern, losing the away game 16-15). They lost to Maryland in the Big Ten tournament and did not advance into NCAA play.
The Buckeyes’ primary scorers were Jr. Kate Tyack and Sr. Camryn Callaghan. All but one of their next four scorers were seniors, and only one of their primary starters was an underclassman.
So. Abby Boyle was the draw control leader, and Sr. Jocelyn Torres was very nearly their sole goalie.
While the roster was split ever so slightly in favor of upperclassmen, the seniors and juniors saw more playing time as compared to their underclassmen counterparts. It remains to be seen whether Ohio State can improve upon the 2026 season.
USC 8-9, (1-7 Big-10, 8th)
When they were in the Pac-12, USC lacrosse was a strong team that boasted enviable winning records and postseason play. But in 2026, the Trojans did not look powerful at all, and a losing record and horrible conference showing caused head coach Lindsey Munday to be shown the door.
USC will have a new coach in 2027, the newly-hired Sam Apuzzo. She was a graduate assistant for Boston College in 2020, then an assistant coach for them from 2021-2026.
USC returns many of their leading scorers, led by Sr. Emma Bunting. Sr. Anna Regan was the top draw control player and a leading scorer in 2026. Goalie duties were shared between Sr. Annie Shields and Jr. Ellie Thomas.
The 2027 team has only four seniors. USC’s sophomore and junior ranks will need to improve and fill the void that has been waiting for them since last season.
Oregon 6-10, (0-8 Big-10, 9th)
The Ducks improved in 2026, but are still looking for that first conference win since joining the Big Ten. We’ll have a proper season preview ahead of their first match next February.
The top three will stay there and fight it out next season, leaving the remaining six to jostle for position and perhaps that lone remaining spot in the 2027 NCAA tournament. I do not expect any surprises at the top, but the competition for the middle of the conference should be lively. And can Oregon get that first conference win next season? We shall see.
