Another game, another upset-minded mid-major to fend off for the Northwestern Wildcats.
In the preseason, nobody had James Madison circled on Northwestern’s calendar. Why would they? The Dukes were unranked, while the Wildcats’ schedule featured heavyweights like North Carolina, Maryland, and Boston College. Turns out, nobody told JMU they weren't supposed to be here.
Head coach Shelley Klaes brought her No. 22 Dukes to Martin Stadium and orchestrated a stunning 13-12 comeback victory over Notre Dame in the first round on Friday. James Madison erased a five-goal deficit, held the Irish scoreless for over 20 minutes, and watched Payton Root bury a behind-the-back game-winner that will live on highlight reels for years.
Now they face No. 1 Northwestern. The Wildcats are 36-0 all-time in home NCAA Tournament games under Kelly Amonte Hiller. They have won 10 straight. They boast a three-time Tewaaraton finalist in Madison Taylor and the NCAA’s active career saves leader in Jenika Cuocco.
But JMU has won eight straight games of their own. They have a goalie playing out of her mind and an offense that saw Lauren Savage bury four goals herself. For Northwestern, this is no time to look ahead—it's time to lock in.
Key #1: Contain Payton Root
If Northwestern watched Friday’s film, they saw something terrifying: not just a scorer, but a distributor who sees angles that shouldn't exist. Root finished the Notre Dame win with a game-best five assists and two goals, including that absurd behind-the-back game-winner that withstood an Irish challenge. For good measure, her first goal was a ridiculous sidearm rifle from the goal line extended—reminiscent of Patrick Kane’s Stanley Cup-winning stunner in 2010. Even with all that, the assists tell the real story. Root was placing balls directly into her teammates' sticks right in front of the net. She wasn't throwing to space and hoping. She was simply delivering and dominating with extreme confidence. JMU head coach Shelley Klaes talked about discipline and stick work after the game. That starts with Root.
Key #2: Win the Draw Controls
Possession is everything in lacrosse, and Northwestern has one of the best in the business. But JMU has been relentless on the draw, especially during their eight-game win streak. If the Wildcats let the Dukes control the tempo and get second-chance opportunities, that five-goal comeback against Notre Dame could become a blueprint for another upset.
Key #3: Stay Composed Under Pressure
Notre Dame learned the hard way that JMU never quits. The Dukes thrive on chaos and momentum swings. Northwestern needs to lean on their experience and depth—something that has carried them through countless high-stakes games. If the Wildcats can weather an early storm and stick to their game plan, their talent should prevail.
The stage is set for a classic second-round battle. Will Northwestern's powerhouse pedigree hold, or will JMU's Cinderella run continue? One thing's for sure: this is the kind of matchup that makes March lacrosse unforgettable.