Everything You Need To Know About Northwestern Hosts 'Lacrosse Day in Chicago'

Northwestern will hold its second annual "Lacrosse Day in Chicago" event in Evanston on Saturday, marking the 'Cats' first outdoor contest of the season. The lakefront doubleheader at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will feature a men's matchup between No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 1 Richmond, followed by a women's showdown between No. 6 Northwestern and USC.

For those unfamiliar with the event or planning to attend, here's what you need to know.

Hosted by Northwestern University, "Lacrosse Day in Chicago" is a premier collegiate lacrosse event designed to celebrate and grow the sport in the Midwest. Unlike last year's single matchup, the event will first bring an unique doubleheader-setting that also features the men's side. Northwestern coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said Notre Dame reached out to her to request playing in Chicago, which eventually led to the unique lacrosse feast on the lakeside shoreline.

Originally named "Lacrosse Night in Chicago," the inaugural event took place on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, where it served as both a showcase for high-ranked matchups and a "test run" for hosting the 2026 NCAA Women's Lacrosse National Championship.

Last year, then-No. 3 Northwestern welcomed then-No. 13 Michigan on the lakefront shoreline, dominating the Wolverines 15-6. Madison Taylor led the charge with a game-high six goals and two assists, while graduate student Niki Miles contributed four goals. The victory clinched a share of the 'Cats' third consecutive Big Ten regular-season title.

Despite rainy weather, the event set a Northwestern program attendance record with 3,503 fans in the stands, demonstrating the appetite for high-level lacrosse in the Chicago area.

USC enters Saturday's matchup with a 6-7 overall record in its second year as a Big Ten member. The Trojans are desperately seeking their first conference win of the season (0-5 Big Ten) while trying to snap a five-game losing streak.

USC shows strength in transition, ranking sixth in the Big Ten with an 89.2% clearance percentage. However, the Trojans have struggled on both ends of the field, averaging just 10.2 goals per game (eighth in Big Ten) while surrendering 13.1 goals per game — the highest mark in the conference. The statistical mismatch suggests Northwestern has a strong opportunity for a dominant performance.

The Trojans have endured a brutal stretch since entering Big Ten play, dropping consecutive contests to Penn State, Michigan, Johns Hopkins, and Maryland.

Junior attacker Reese Robinson leads USC's offensive attack with a team-high 18 goals this season and will be Northwestern's primary defensive assignment. Behind Robinson, Emma Bunting has distributed a team-best 23 assists, ranking sixth in the Big Ten. Her 1.92 assists per game also place sixth in the conference.

Sophomore defender Sophie Gangemi anchors the Trojans' backfield with 25 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers—numbers that rank tied for fifth and tied for 11th, respectively, in the Big Ten.

Saturday's matchup also serves as a homecoming for USC head coach Lindsey Munday, a two-time national champion as a Wildcat player (2005, 2006) and three-time national title winner as an assistant coach at Northwestern (2007-2009).

Northwestern holds a 5-2 all-time record against USC in a series dating back to 2013. The Trojans haven't visited Evanston since the 2018 season, making Saturday's contest their first appearance at Martin Stadium.

1. ACCN (No. 1 Notre Dame vs. Richmond)

2. BTN (No. 6 Northwestern vs. USC)

Tickets: Available at NU Sports