CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Senior attacker Madison Taylor scored the sudden-death overtime winner to grant No. 11 Northwestern a 17-16 upset victory over No. 1 North Carolina Wednesday night at Dorrance Field.
The Wildcats (7-3, 1-1 Massive Ten) ended the Tar Heels’ (9-1, 7-0 ACC) 31-game winning streak. This win marks Northwestern’s first against a No. 1-ranked opponent since February 29, 2024, when they defeated Boston College 14-11. Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller has now won her past two games played in Chapel Hill.
Graduate student attacker Olivia Adamson led Northwestern with five points, scoring three goals and assisting on two others. Taylor and sophomore attacker Aditi Foster each scored three goals. Graduate student midfielder Annabel Child and junior midfielder Noel Cumberland both added two goals to the Wildcats’ total.
Senior attacker Maddie Epke dominated the draw circle, securing a season-high 15 draw controls. Taylor and redshirt sophomore Madison Smith each recorded two draw controls as Northwestern won 20 draw controls to North Carolina’s 15.
Epke, junior attacker Taylor Lapointe, sophomore midfielder Hannah Rudolph, and senior midfielder Lucy Munro each contributed one goal.
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco anchored the defense with 12 saves and a .429 save percentage. Cuocco’s crucial stop on an overtime free position shot set the stage for Taylor’s game-winning goal.
North Carolina initially took a 4-2 lead, but Northwestern remained competitive throughout the first half, trailing 8-6 at halftime.
A 4-0 run by Northwestern in the third quarter gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game, and they entered the final quarter with a 14-13 advantage.
The fourth quarter saw both teams trade goals, ultimately ending regulation tied at 16-16.
Despite losing the initial possession in overtime, Northwestern’s defense held strong, and Cuocco denied a North Carolina scoring opportunity.
Taylor then drove to the cage from the right side and scored the winning goal, handing North Carolina its first home loss in two years.
Northwestern will next face No. 7 Johns Hopkins at home on Sunday, March 29, with the opening draw scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Northwestern 17, North Carolina 16.
How many draw controls did Maddie Epke record?
Maddie Epke recorded 15 draw controls.
Who scored the game-winning goal?
Senior attacker Madison Taylor scored the game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime.
What factors do you feel will be most important for Northwestern as they continue through their season?
