Completed Event: Lacrosse at #24 Pitt on March 31, 2026 , Loss , 11, to, 12
LAX
Final
James Madison
11
at #24 Pitt
12
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Sunday, May 10
Evanston, Ill.
2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT)
James Madison University
at
Northwestern
Dukes Face Top-Seeded Northwestern in NCAA Second Round
5/9/2026 5:11:00 PM | Lacrosse
NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship Second Round
Matchup: #22 James Madison (14-6) vs. #2 Northwestern (13-3)
Date: Sunday, May 10, 2026
First Draw: 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT)
Location: Evanston, Ill.
Stadium: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin's Stadium
Watch: ESPN+
Dukes Face Wildcats in NCAA Second Round
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Matchup: #22 James Madison (14-6) vs. #2 Northwestern (13-3)
Date: Sunday, May 10, 2026
First Draw: 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT)
Location: Evanston, Ill.
Stadium: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin's Stadium
Watch: ESPN+
Dukes Face Wildcats in NCAA Second Round
- After defeating Notre Dame in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship, JMU will meet top-seeded Northwestern in the Second Round of action in Evanston.
- This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the teams, with the Wildcats holding a 3-1 series lead. It's also the first time the teams have met since the 1989 season.
- This is the first time the Dukes and Northwestern have met in the NCAA Championship.
- JMU last won over Notre Dame in 1988.
- JMU sits 15th in the NCAA Division I RPI following its American Women's Lacrosse Championship title win - tied for its highest position of the season - while Northwestern is first after winning the Big Ten Tournament.
- With a win, JMU will advance to the third round of the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2023.
- The Dukes can also improve their win streak to a season-long nine games.
- JMU enters the Second Round riding an eight-game win streak, which includes a 13-12 triumph over #16 Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
- Northwestern received the top seed after capturing its fourth consecutive Big Ten Tournament title and outright championship, marking the Wildcats' third time earning the No. 1 overall seed in the last four seasons.
- Jordan Peterson and Payton Root lead the JMU offense, as Peterson paces the team in goals (44) while Root is JMU's leading assister (59) and point getter (90).
- In the circle, Harlowe Healey commands the draw for the Dukes (157), tallying 10 or more in six games. Defensively, Olivia Rongo leads the backline with a JMU single-season record in caused turnovers (58) while also pacing the Dukes in ground balls (55).
- For Northwestern, Tewaaraton finalist Madison Taylor leads the way in goals (80), assists (31), and points (111), while Aditi Foster is second in both goals (43) and points (55). Madison Smith has been the leading drawer (105).
- Defensively, Northwestern is led by Jaylen Rosga's 20 caused turnovers and 23 ground balls. In the cage, Jenika Cuocco has made 161 saves with a 9.01 goals against average and a .516 save percentage.
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Players Mentioned
Attacker
/ Lacrosse
Attacker
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Defender
/ Lacrosse
Attacker
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