Northwestern Lacrosse Stuns No. 1 Maryland in Thriller

Wildcats rally from early deficit to hand Terrapins first loss of the season

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:19pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a lacrosse game in motion, with players and the ball fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a dynamic composition.Northwestern's upset of top-ranked Maryland showcases the Wildcats' resilience and ability to make clutch plays in high-pressure moments.College Park Today

The No. 4 Northwestern lacrosse team pulled off a dramatic 11-10 victory over the top-ranked Maryland Terrapins on the road, becoming the first Division I program since 2012 to beat two No. 1 teams in a single season. The Wildcats overcame an early 3-0 deficit and a 5-3 halftime hole, rallying in the second half behind a standout performance from senior attacker Izzy Taylor.

Why it matters

This win over the previously undefeated Terrapins solidifies Northwestern's status as a national title contender and shows the Wildcats can win tough road games against elite competition. The victory also highlights the team's resilience and ability to make crucial plays in high-pressure moments.

The details

After falling behind 5-3 at halftime, Northwestern stormed back in the second half, tying the game at 5-5 and then taking an 11-8 lead with under 11 minutes to play. The Wildcats' depth and composure proved to be the difference, as players like Aditi Foster, Taylor Lapointe, and Kate Ratanaproeksa all made key contributions to the comeback. Maryland made a late push, but Northwestern held on for the thrilling 11-10 win.

  • The Wildcats trailed 3-0 early and 5-3 at halftime.
  • Taylor won a crucial draw control with 58 seconds left to seal the victory.
  • Maryland's Lauren LaPointe, the team's leading scorer, left the game with an injury in the second half.

The players

Izzy Taylor

A senior attacker for Northwestern, Taylor led all scorers with four goals and one assist, and added a team-high five draw controls, including the game-clinching one in the final minute.

Jenika Cuocco

The Wildcats' goalkeeper made seven crucial saves in the first half to keep the game within reach for Northwestern.

Lauren LaPointe

Maryland's leading scorer, who left the game with an injury in the second half, a turning point that allowed Northwestern to rally and take control.

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What’s next

Northwestern will look to build on this signature win when they travel to face No. 18 Penn State next.

The takeaway

This victory over the top-ranked Terrapins proves that Northwestern is a legitimate national title contender, capable of winning tough road games against elite competition. The Wildcats' resilience, depth, and ability to make clutch plays in high-pressure moments have firmly re-established them as one of the premier programs in college lacrosse.