Story perspectives

Northwestern Beats UNC 14-11, Wins 9th Title

5/25/2026

Summary

Northwestern Wins

Northwestern University lacrosse team beat UNC Tar Heels 14-11 to win the championship.
Video review overturned Reese King’s goal and nullified Caroline Godine’s, erasing UNC’s tying goal and causing a penalty.
Northwestern responded with three consecutive goals, including a power-play tally, to secure the 14-11 win.
The win gave Northwestern its ninth title, a 40-0 home record since 2002, and let Chloe Humphrey tie the NCAA record with 109 goals.

Summary

Northwestern Wins Championship

Northwestern became the first Division I program since 1986 to win a national championship on its home field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois, on May 22, 2026.
Senior attack Maddie Epke posted a goal and an assist while freshman Gabriella McCollester scored four goals, including the assisted one.
Both Northwestern’s Epke and UNC’s Addison Pattillo entered the final as former GametimeCT All-State honorees, highlighting the high-school talent pipeline.

History

Hiller Makes History

Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller became the all-time winningest Division I women’s lacrosse championship coach with her ninth title.
Freshman Gabriella McCollester entered the second half after senior Lucy Munro’s first-quarter injury and scored all four Northwestern goals.
Northwestern won the title before a capacity crowd at Martin Stadium on Lake Michigan, its first home-field championship since 1986 and the second in four years, capping a 19-3 season.

Summary

UNC Overturns Goal

The game featured eight coach-challenge reviews, including a video replay that overturned a UNC goal in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern’s Lucy Munro left in the first quarter with a non-contact injury to her left leg, dropping the attack.
UNC held seven draws to Northwestern’s six at halftime, reflecting a narrow draw-control advantage.
Physical play intensified, causing multiple fouls and a visibly frustrated Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller after contentious calls.

History

Historical Context

Northwestern revived its women’s lacrosse program in 2002, hiring former Maryland star Kelly Amonte Hiller as head coach. After five straight titles from 2005-2009 and a home-undefeated streak, the Wildcats earned their ninth national championship on May 22 2026 at Martin Stadium, avenging a 2025 loss to North Carolina and becoming the first team since 1986 to win the title on home turf.

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Northwestern Wins

Northwestern University lacrosse team beat UNC Tar Heels 14-11 to win the championship.
Video review overturned Reese King’s goal and nullified Caroline Godine’s, erasing UNC’s tying goal and causing a penalty.
Northwestern responded with three consecutive goals, including a power-play tally, to secure the 14-11 win.
The win gave Northwestern its ninth title, a 40-0 home record since 2002, and let Chloe Humphrey tie the NCAA record with 109 goals.

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