The end of Madison Taylor’s storybook college women’s lacrosse career could not have been scripted much better.
The former Wantagh girls lacrosse legend ended her collegiate playing career leading Northwestern to the NCAA Division I national championship with a 14-11 victory Memorial Day weekend playing on the Wildcats' home field in Evanston, Ill.
Four days after wearing a Northwestern uniform for the final time on a sunny spring day along Lake Michigan, Taylor’s final NCAA chapter got that much brighter in Washington D.C. when she was awarded the prestigious Tewaaraton Award given annually to the nation’s top college player.
“This was the most unbelievable week of my life,” said Taylor, who also won a national title as a freshman in 2023. “When I think about it I just can't stop smiling.”
Taylor held the Tewaaraton trophy following a national championship performance in which the senior attacker facing constant pressure dished out six assists before sealing Northwestern’s come-from-behind win from an 11-9 fourth quarter deficit with a late goal to make it 14-11. She finished her illustrious senior season with 97 goals, 42 assists, 23 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers and 62 draw controls.
The 2022 Wantagh graduate completed her heralded Northwestern career tied for most points in program history at 483 with her former Wildcats’ teammate Izzy Scane, a 2024 graduate who also won the Tewaaraton in her final season.
Taylor was joined at the Tewaaraton ceremony by 25 of her Northwestern teammates making the honor that much more meaningful. She also was supported at the event by her travel lacrosse coaches from Long Top Guns Lacrosse including fellow Northwestern legend and 2011 Tewaaraton winner, Shannon Smith who is the current Hofstra women’s lacrosse head coach.
“For my travel coaches to be there means so much and I would not be where I am without them,” Taylor said. “I remember my first couple tournaments I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do this or not but they just saw something in me and helped me become the player that I am.”
The Tewaaraton win was also historic for Wantagh High School with Taylor becoming the first Warrior male or female to garner the honor considered the Heisman Trophy of college lacrosse.
Taylor said the stiff competition Wantagh faced during her career in Nassau County’s power league prepared her well to compete at the highest level in college.
Former Wantagh girls lacrosse head coach Robyn Rooney saw potential early on for Taylor to shine in college and predicted she would win multiple Tewaaraton trophies. She was a Tewaaraton finalist three times and just missed out on the award last year when she set an NCAA record with 109 goals.
“She is such a great kid on and off the field and I was so beyond thrilled for her that I had chills and cried,” Rooney said. “I was so happy that she cemented her name with the highest honor and ended her career on such a high note.”
While Taylor may have put on a Northwestern uniform the final time, her lacrosse career is far from over.
After Northwestern’s upcoming June 14 graduation ceremony, Taylor will shift her focus to the California Palms, who selected her as the number one pick in the Women’s Lacrosse League College Draft in April. She will also compete with Team USA in the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship from July 24 to Aug. 2.
A gold medal is also in Taylor’s bucket list with women’s lacrosse set to make its Olympics debut during the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles. No matter how far she reaches in the sport, the last week of May 2026 and her entire career in suburban Chicago will always hold a special place in her heart.
“My time here at Northwestern has just been unbelievable,” Taylor said. “Getting to win two national championships and bookend your career that way is just unreal.”
