The NCAA record for most goals in a season is 109. The second-highest single-season point total in NCAA history with 158. But to senior attacker Madison Taylor, who set both records last season, the accolades mean next to nothing.
As Taylor’s Northwestern career comes to an end following this season, her focus is on bringing a positive, “contagious” energy and doing whatever it takes to lead the team to victory after losing back-to-back national championship games by a combined five goals.
“I’ll do whatever the team really needs me to do to be successful,” Taylor said. “I’m willing to do anything for the team to win.”
The two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist and her fellow seniors have won 59 games thus far in their careers, including a national championship in 2023.
Taylor said that she is looking forward to the “best part of the year” and making memories with her teammates.
Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said that it’s “rare to have an elite player” with such a team-first mentality.
“Any day you have Maddie Taylor on your team is a good day,” Amonte Hiller said. “She is just an elite competitor. She pours her heart and soul into this game, and it’s pretty fun to be around her … I think she’s really developed into a leader.”
The Wildcats (1-1 0-0 Big Ten) have had an intriguing start to their season, crushing No. 3 Boston College 20-12 on the road Friday before losing to Colorado 10-9, their first home game against an unranked opponent since 2002. Taylor did not record a shot in the final five minutes of the game.
Last season, Taylor led an attack that scored fewer than 10 goals just three times in 22 games. Through two games this season, Taylor has 11 goals and six assists, both higher than her per-game averages last season.
Taylor comes from a long line of prolific ’Cats scorers, the most recent being NCAA all-time leading scorer Izzy Scane. During the offseason, Taylor and other returners created team chemistry with the four incoming transfers and nine freshmen.
With 2025 AAC Attack Player of the Year Maddie Epke and 2024 All-ACC First Teamer Olivia Adamson joining the offense, NU’s attack should be equally strong if not stronger than last season.
“I think our whole attack unit has just really worked on developing chemistry and just applying some of the concepts that coach has been talking about, and it’s been so fun just to learn from them,” Adamson said.
Taylor and this year’s senior class will be the first with an opportunity to bid adieu to college lacrosse at home if the ’Cats are able to advance to the national semifinals. NU hosting the semifinals and championship marks the first time the women’s college lacrosse championship has been held in the Midwest.
Taylor said she is going to enjoy every last moment of the season with her teammates while still keeping her competitive spirit.
“It’s been like the best experience of my life, and I’ve just met my best friends throughout these past four years, and I’ve learned so much as a person and as a player,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned so much from the people above me and below me, and my coaches and it’s just been the best experience of my life.”
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