Northwestern Storms Back to Clinch 2026 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Title, 14-11

Northwestern overcome an 11-9 fourth-quarter deficit, rattling off a 5-0 run to beat North Carolina 14-11 in Evanston and capture the 2026 NCAA women’s lacrosse title. The Wildcats extend their win streak to 14 and claim their ninth NCAA crown, while UNC’s 10-game winning streak is snapped. Northwestern got four goals from Gabriella McCollester and a hat trick from Addison Pattillo (with six assists from Madison Taylor), plus Eliza Osburn scoring twice. Taylor Lapointe added three and Pattillo contributed a key role as NW’s primary playmaker. For UNC, Chloe Humphrey had 2 goals and 2 assists and tied the NCAA single-season goal record with 109. UNC led 11-9 entering the fourth before Northwestern’s late surge sealed the championship.