The Wildcats are seeking their ninth National Championship in 12 tries.
Kelly Amonte Hiller will coach her NCAA record 12th women's lacrosse National Championship game on Sunday. She'll hope to bring home Northwestern's ninth title as a program, trailing only her alma mater, Maryland (14).
The longtime leader of the 'Cats — and the winningest coach in NCAA Tournament history — is 8-3 in National Championship games since winning her first in 2005. Here's how Northwestern's past title game experience stacks up as the Wildcats seek to defeat North Carolina at their home field on Sunday:
2005: No. 1 Northwestern 13, No. 6 Virginia 10
The Wildcats won their first National Championship in program history just four seasons after Amonte Hiller revived the program, finishing the campaign with a flawless 21-0 record. Kristen Kjellman won Most Outstanding Player honors as a sophomore, setting the stage for a stellar Northwestern career. The championship was also the first in college lacrosse — men's or women's, at any level — to be won by a team outside of the Eastern Time Zone.
2006: No. 4 Northwestern 7, No. 7 Dartmouth 4
Northwestern lost just once during the regular season, but still only earned the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That didn't matter, as the Wildcats upset No. 1 Duke in overtime of the Final Four on the way to their second consecutive title. Kjellman became the first Tewaaraton winner from a non-East Coast school on the 20-1 'Cats.
2007: No. 1 Northwestern 15, No. 3 Virginia 13
Apr 7, 2007; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attackman (5) Aly Josephs celebrates her goal with midfielders (3) Kristen Kjellman (7) Hannah Nielsen and (4) Katrina Dowd during the second half at the Thomas B. Athletic Complex in Evanston, IL. Northwestern beat Duke 17-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images © Copyright 2007 Jerry LaiNorthwestern fell to North Carolina in the opener, then rattled off 21 consecutive victories to close out the season with its third consecutive national crown. Kjellman repeated as the Tewaaraton and the Wildcats toppled Virginia for the second time in three years to claim the title.
2008: No. 1 Northwestern 10, No. 2 Penn 6
Hannah Nielsen picked up where Kjellman left off, winning Northwestern's third Tewaaraton in a row. The Wildcats similarly went 21-1 and avenged their lone loss to Penn in the National Championship Game. Amonte Hiller secured her 100th victory in only her 123rd game as the 'Cats' head coach.
2009: No. 1 Northwestern 21, No. 3 North Carolina 7
Northwestern captured its second undefeated season in program history, finishing off a 23-0 campaign with a dominant National Championship win over the Tar Heels. Nielsen marked the Wildcats' fourth consecutive year with a Tewaaraton winner, as NU rolled to its fifth straight title.
2010: No. 1 Maryland 13, No. 2 Northwestern 11
The Terrapins finally dethroned the 'Cats in 2010, holding Northwestern to its lowest scoring output of the season. NU took an early 6-0 lead before Maryland ended the game on a 13-5 run.
2011: No. 2 Northwestern 8, No. 1 Maryland 7
Northwestern got its revenge over Maryland the following year. After dropping back-to-back games mid-season, the Wildcats rallied to return to the mountaintop of college lacrosse. Shannon Smith became Northwestern's fifth Tewaaraton winner, as well as the third different Wildcat to receive the award.
2012: No. 2 Northwestern 8, No. 4 Syracuse 6
The 'Cats' dynasty concluded in 2012 with a seventh National Championship in eight years, including a fifth win over the ACC. Northwestern lost to No. 1 Florida twice — once in the regular season and once in the American Lacrosse Conference title game — but managed to avoid the Gators in the Final Four. Instead, the Wildcats faced Syracuse, and NU held the Orange scoreless over the final 10 minutes to secure the victory.
2023: No. 1 Northwestern 18, No. 3 Boston College 6
May 28, 2023; Cary, NC, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats pose with the championship trophy after defeating the Boston College Eagles in the Women's NCAA Lacrosse Championship at Wake Med Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn ImagesAfter more than a decade without reaching the title game, a loaded Northwestern team raised banner No. 8. Led by Tewaaraton winner Izzy Scane, the nation's top offense went 21-1 and dominated opponents on the way to the Championship. The Wildcats won their final three NCAA Tournament games by a combined 30 goals.
2024: No. 2 Boston College 14, No. 1 Northwestern 13
Northwestern appeared destined to repeat in 2024, fueled by Scane's ascension to the sport's all-time leading scorer. The Wildcats led after the first quarter in the National Championship, 6-0, but Boston College found its rhythm and roared back to make it a tight contest. The Eagles took the lead with 9:39 to go and held on to down the 'Cats. Scane ended her career as a two-time Tewaaraton winner.
2025: No. 1 North Carolina 12, No. 3 Northwestern 8
Madison Taylor shattered the NCAA single-season scoring record with 109 goals, but was completely shut out by the undefeated Tar Heels in the title game. Northwestern's star attacker was held without a goal for the first time all season — and just the third time in her collegiate career — as the 'Cats dropped their second National Championship Game in a row.
Taylor and the 'Cats will look to avenge their previous loss at home on Sunday, with the opening draw set for 11 a.m. CT.
