Northwestern Clinches Share of Big Ten Women's Lacrosse Title

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Northwestern secured at least a share of the 2025 Big Ten women's lacrosse championship with Thursday's 15-6 win over No. 13 Michigan. The victory improved the No. 3-ranked Wildcats to 7-0 in conference play with one game remaining. This marks Northwestern's third straight title and its fifth in the last six seasons.

The Wolverines scored the game’s first three goals before the Wildcats netted seven unanswered goals to build a 7-4 lead at the half. Northwestern put the game away in the third, outscoring the visitors 6-0 and extending its lead to 15-4 early in the final period.  

Madison Taylor led Northwestern with eight points on six goals and two assists, while Niki Miles and Riley Campbell combined for seven goals. Sam Smith collected 14 draw controls, with Sammy White pairing four caused turnovers and three ground balls. Goaltender Delaney Sweitzer collected seven saves in the win.

Michigan’s Kaylee Dyer led the Wolverines with two goals and an assist, while goaltender Erin O’Grady posted 12 saves.

Northwestern can clinch the 2025 title outright on Saturday with a win at Ohio State. The opening draw is slated for 1 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio.

The 2025 Big Ten Women’s Lacrosse Tournament will take place April 23-27 at the Maryland Field Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.

Three first round games will take place on April 23 with the winners and the tournament’s top seed advancing to the semifinals on April 25. The semifinal winners will meet in the championship game on April 27, with the winner claiming the Big Ten's automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament. 

The first round games will be broadcast on B1G+, while the semifinals and championship will air on Big Ten Network and the FOX Sports App.