Ahead of Northwestern’s first game this season, coach Kelly Amonte Hiller preached the importance of constant learning, developing fundamentals and strengthening team culture. Three weeks and five games later, she says she feels the same.
“(Our cohesiveness) is really how I measure our team,” Amonte Hiller said during Tuesday’s media availability. “How we’re growing in our tactics, how we’re growing as people, that’s where my focus lies every single day.”
The No. 4-ranked Wildcats (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten) have seen ups and downs during their first five games. They took down then-No. 3 Boston College in their season opener but were promptly upset by then-unranked Colorado just three days later.
In the three games since, NU has gone 3-0 and outscored its opponents 68-16.
Amonte Hiller partially credited the dominant run to the Colorado loss, saying it forced the team to “dial in” mentally and physically. She said the past few performances showed the ’Cats’ potential.
“I think there’s a lot of great talent, and when we really put it together, you see moments of greatness,” Amonte Hiller said. “I think we just need to really strive for that consistency on a day-to-day basis and then on game day.”
NU’s offense has been spearheaded by senior attacker Madison Taylor, who has scored 26 of the ’Cats’ 97 goals. She also leads the team with 12 assists, something Amonte Hiller said was overlooked last season while referring to Taylor as an “elite feeder.”
Both Taylor and Amonte Hiller emphasized the importance of getting better every day. Taylor said the team is learning a lot from each other and having fun together.
Looking to extend its win streak to four games, NU heads to New York to face No. 18 Stony Brook. The game signifies a return home for many ’Cats from the area, including Taylor, redshirt junior attacker Abby LoCascio, graduate student goalkeeper Jenika Cuocco, redshirt freshman attacker Jenna Soto, freshman midfielder Sienna Connolly and freshman attacker Kyle Finnell.
“The first ever college lacrosse game that I watched was at Stony Brook, so it’s crazy that I’m going to be playing there now,” Taylor said. “I’m super excited to go back and see all my friends and family.”
Though Taylor has been the leader of the team’s attack unit, she is surrounded by a talented supporting class featuring many newcomers. Graduate student attacker Olivia Adamson has tallied 10 goals and five assists after missing most of her final season at Syracuse due to injury.
Amonte Hiller praised Adamson for her ability to learn a new system while recovering from injury. Adamson said the coaching staff has helped her find a role in the offense, both as a leader and a scorer.
“It has been so much fun to be part of this attack,” Adamson said. “I can add my knowledge of different defenses and coaching staffs, and (the team) helps me because they have a lot of championship experience.”
Adamson plays a role in the draw control for NU alongside Taylor, redshirt sophomore midfielder Madison Smith, senior attacker Maddie Epke and others. The quality of the draw unit allows each player to work hard and improve, Adamson said, helping the ’Cats control the second-most draws per game in the country.
Following Saturday’s contest, NU has nearly two weeks before its next game. Amonte Hiller said the longer break allows the team to focus in and improve together.
“It’s about growing together,” Amonte Hiller said. “When you play as a team, you can’t just be an individual out there. You have to understand each other and leverage everybody’s strengths.”
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