EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 6 Northwestern extended its winning streak to four games as it defeated USC 11-5 in front of a program record 5,805 fans on Saturday in Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
"It's a great showcase," Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. "It's amazing how the Midwest community came out and really showed that calling."
Lacrosse Day in Chicago = W ?? #CatsWin pic.twitter.com/9YAzLBM0y5
— Northwestern Lacrosse (@NULax) April 4, 2026
The Wildcats (9-3, 3-1 Big Ten) scored the game's first six goals and held the Trojans scoreless for more than 25 minutes in an emphatic start to the second annual Lacrosse Day in Chicago.
Senior attacker Madison Taylor led all scorers with six points (four goals, two assists). Taylor became the second player in program history to eclipse 300 career goals, joining Izzy Scane.
"It's all my teammates — I wouldn't be able to score those goals without them," Taylor said. "They do a really good job of moving off the ball, and I'm able to get those goals because of them.
"These past four years have been the best years of my life. I definitely didn't see myself being able to do that. It's just a really surreal feeling, and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season looks like."
Sophomore attacker Aditi Foster posted a hat trick. Senior attacker Maddie Epke, first-year midfielder Kate Ratanaproeksa, junior attacker Taylor Lapointe and junior midfielder Noel Cumberland added goals.
Graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco, the reigning IWLCA and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, picked up right where she left off between the pipes. Cuocco recorded nine saves on a 64.3% save percentage. She has amassed 32 saves in her past three games.
"Anytime you can get saves, it influences your defense in a really positive way," Amonte Hiller said. "She's made some really big saves and some timely ones. It gives everyone confidence on the field."
Defensively, Northwestern racked up a season-high 15 caused turnovers. First-year defender Reese Hansen and redshirt junior midfielder Jaylen Rosga each tallied three caused turnovers.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Thursday, April 9 at No. 1 Maryland. Opening draw from College Park is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.