Three takeaways from Northwestern lacrosse’s thrilling 13-12 quarterfinal takedown of Colorado

On Thursday, the game between Northwestern and Colorado ascended beyond anything you’d ever expect from your stereotypical midday ESPNU slot. It had everything you could want from a lacrosse game and drama that matched the immense magnitude of the moment. Double-digit card totals, posts that groaned instead of rippled, a tying goal from Colorado’s Maddie Shoup with four seconds on the clock, a yellow card to Madison Taylor at the absolute worst possible moment, a lengthy review that held the entire lakefront in complete silence and finally Noel Cumberland stepping up to a free position shot with a Final Four berth hanging in the balance.

After a couple of deep breaths, she confidently shimmied towards the goal and bounced a howler into the bottom left corner. Northwestern had done it. They survived Colorado 13-12 in double overtime and advanced to the program’s seventh straight national semifinal.

Anyone who watched it likely feels they witnessed something, maybe not as convincing as they’d hoped, but no doubt special. Here are the three biggest takeaways from a quarterfinal that showcased resilience from passionate players and their home crowd, who both refused to let NU lose. Northwestern doesn’t need Jenika Cuocco to be superhuman every single game For most of the season, Jenika Cuocco has been the ultimate safety net for the Wildcats.

When the defense breaks down, she is a literal brick wall. When a shot seems destined for the back of the net, she somehow finds a way to reach out a stick and send it the other way. Northwestern has leaned on her heavily in the biggest moments because she’s proven she can step up.