Many teams have that one season, that year of heart-stopping wins, MVP awards and the pinning of a new championship banner that triggers effervescent nostalgia from fans. Northwestern lacrosse has seven.
The Wildcats have dominated women's college sports over the past decade, and don't seem to be letting up as 2013 rolls in. In preparation of the upcoming season, refresh yourself with Northwestern's recent triumphs and titles.
2005
Just four seasons after earning varsity status, Northwestern snatched its first national title in 2005 behind a perfect 21-0 record. Twin sisters Courtney and Ashley Koester, originally recruited off the lakefill with no prior knowledge of lacrosse, paced the ‘Cats all season long. Courtney recorded 13 ground balls and eight draw controls during the NCAA Tournament, and would later receive Intercolllegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Defender of the Year honors.
Northwestern rode a No. 1 seed through the Tourney, culminating in a 13-10 win over Virginia to take it all. NU averaged over 11 goals a game in postseason play, while goalie Ashley Gersuk limited opponents to under six.
2006
The Wildcats followed an undefeated season with a 20-1 record, notching their second consecutive NCAA championship with a gritty 7-4 win over Dartmouth. While all the players from the original varsity roster had graduated, Northwestern was led by junior midfielder Kristen Kjellman, who became the first ‘Cat awarded with lacrosse’s Tewaaraton Trophy.
Junior attack Aly Josephs scored at least one goal in every game, while Morgan Lathrop anchored the team in goal. The Wildcats upset top-ranked Duke 11-10 in the semifinals to reassert their status as the best team in the country.
2007
The ‘Cats clawed their way to a threepeat in ‘07, going 21-1 behind another standout season from Kjellman. The senior earned All-American honors for the third consecutive year and reclaimed the Tewaaraton as the only player in the country with at least 60 goals and 80 draw controls.
Kjellman recorded a team-high seven game-winning goals, while Northwestern beat Virginia in the national championship for the second time in three years.
2008
Is this getting too predictable?
The Wildcats won it all again in 2008, tallying a fourth consecutive title and asserting themselves as one of the most formidable dynasties in college sports. Northwestern knocked off Penn 10-6 in the final game.
Despite the graduation of Kjellman, the Wildcats averaged nearly 15 goals a game in the Tournament. Junior Hilary Bowen emerged as one of the best players in the country with 101 points and tied a record with 17 goals in the Tourney. Morgan Lathrop ranked second in the NCAA in goals allowed during the regular season, and the ‘Cats saw another Tewaaraton Trophy come home with junior midfielder Hannah Nielsen.
2009
Northwestern smoked North Carolina 21-7 to earn a ring for the thumb, finishing 23-0 for one of the most dominant seasons in the history of sports. Senior Hannah Nielsen won the Tewaaraton Trophy again, marking the fourth straight year that a Wildcat grabbed the sport’s top honor.
The ‘Cats toppled Penn in double overtime to advance to the national championship game, and outscored opponents 73-34 in the Tournament.
2011
After being stunned by Maryland in the 2010 tournament, the Wildcats were back with a vengeance in '11, reclaiming the national title behind a 21-2 season. Northwestern suffered its first conference loss since 2004 with a 13-11 thriller against Florida, but remained dominant behind junior Shannon Smith.
Smith led the nation in points and scored at least four goals in all six of Northwestern’s postseason games. The Tewaaraton winner netted a dramatic game-winner in a semifinal clash with North Carolina and scored the go-ahead goal to top Maryland in the final.
2012
The Wildcats earned their seventh title in eight years with a serpentine 8-6 win over Syracuse in the national title game. Senior Shannon Smith closed out her prolific career with two goals and two assists.
Northwestern took another regular season conference loss to Florida at Lakeside Field, but augmented production from juniors Taylor Thornton and Erin Fitzgerald kept the offense steady.
2013?
Will the Wildcats complete another threepeat? It’s certainly possible, with the 'Cats entering 2013 atop national polls. Senior Taylor Thornton is a preseason Tewaaraton candidate, while senior Erin Fitzgerald drilled two goals against Team USA and Team England in preseason exhibitions.
Though Florida, UNC and Duke are all feasible obstacles, it’s Northwestern’s title to lose for now.