Madison Taylor of Wantagh scores five goals to lead Northwestern women's lacrosse in Final Four win

CARY, N.C. — Defending national champion and top-seeded Northwestern ended Florida's Cinderella run on Friday with a 15-11 semifinal win at WakeMed Soccer Park. 

Northwestern sophomore attacker Madison Taylor (Wantagh) led her team with five goals as the Wildcats advanced to Sunday's NCAA Division I national championship game against Boston College. 

“We were just working really well together,” Taylor said. “In the beginning, we weren’t really moving that much for each other. I think we talked it out that we need to move more and fight for each other selflessly and I think we did that.”

Florida senior attacker Danielle Pavinelli (Northport) opened up the game with a goal assisted by senior midfielder Madison Waters (Bayport-Blue Point). Both teams exchanged goals, with Florida senior attacker Ashley Gonzalez (Half Hollow Hills East) tying it at 3 off an assist from Pavinelli at the top of the second period.

The Wildcats answered immediately, pulling ahead 5-3 thanks to two straight goals by Taylor. Her first goal came four minutes into the second period. About two minutes later, Taylor scored again by using a subtle drop step to create space and go over the top of the defense on the left elbow. The two goals for Taylor were part of a 4-1 Northwestern scoring run.

Then, Waters struck at a crucial time to make it a one-goal game again for Florida. With an assist from Pavinelli, Waters took advantage of an open lane  to send a high-bouncer to the back of the goal. Both teams continued to trade goals and the Wildcats entered halftime with a 7-6 lead.

Taylor went to work for Northwestern in the third period with two back-to-back goals — extending her streak to 18 straight games with four or more points. On the other end, Florida’s Pavinelli made her impact felt across the field, recording several crucial clears. The end of the third quarter was characterized by low-scoring and chaotic back-and-forth action in the ride.

After graduate defender Hannah Heller (West Babylon) was removed from play because of two yellow cards, Northwestern was gifted a power play and ran out the clock to end the third quarter with a 10-9 lead.

After a 55-minute weather delay, the Wildcats came out firing. Taylor isolated on the left elbow midway through the final period and took advantage of a late slide to record her fifth goal of the day and cap off a 5-0 Wildcats run — essentially sealing the game for Northwestern.

Despite the loss, Pavinelli said she couldn’t be prouder of the Gators.

“Going to the Final Four has been a dream of ours since we were little kids,” Pavinelli said. “So getting here — I’m just so proud of this team.”