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“It doesn’t feel real. Everything that’s happened – I guess I really am living my dream.”
For Wantagh’s Madison Taylor, the week couldn’t have gone much better — a national championship, a record-setting performance in the title game, all capped off with the one honor that had eluded her throughout her career.
The Northwestern superstar was named the winner of the 2026 Tewaaraton Award on Thursday night, taking home college lacrosse’s most prestigious individual award after another record-breaking season with the Wildcats.
The Tewaarton, lax’s version of the Heisman Trophy, recognizes not just scoring stats, but overall impact, leadership, and excellence on the field throughout the season.
The senior attacker capped off a dominant 2026 season with 97 goals and 42 assists while adding 23 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers and 62 draw controls. She was the only player in the country this season to record more than 100 points and 50 draw controls.
“I know my name is on the trophy, but its really a team award,” Taylor told Greater Long Island. “I couldn’t have done this without all of my teammates.”
The former Wantagh High School standout finished her Northwestern career with 483 points, tying 2024 grad Izzy Scane for the most in program history. Her 342 career goals rank second all-time at Northwestern, and she became the first player in NCAA history to record at least 450 career points and 200 career draw controls.
Taylor also delivered one of the defining performances of her career on the sport’s biggest stage.
Last Sunday, she set the NCAA women’s lacrosse national championship game record with six assists, leading Northwestern to a 14-11 victory over North Carolina to help capture the title. She had a game-high seven points in the win.
“I knew that was the last time I was ever going to put that Northwestern jersey on, and there was literally no better way to end it,” Taylor said. “My college career was ending no matter what with that game, so instead of being sad, I’m ecstatic. We ended it on the highest of all highs.”
Taylor continuously stepped up during the most important times. In this year’s NCAA Tournament, she scored a tourney-high 28 points in four games and set a new NCAA Tournament career record with 91 points in 16 postseason games.
Taylor finished her college career with two national titles, also winning one as a freshman in 2023. She played in the NCAA championship game in every season of her collegiate career.
She started all 87 games Northwestern played during her four years and recorded at least one point in 68 consecutive games.
“It’a been the most insane four years of my life,” Taylor said with a laugh. “Thankfully I’ll still be here until the middle of June for finals and graduation, so we can keep on celebrating together.”
And while her college career is now officially over, Taylor isn’t hanging up her cleats and her stick just yet.
In April, Taylor was the first overall pick in the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) College Draft by the California Palms.
“I’m excited to play professionally,” she said. “But first I just want to finish school, rest my body, and enjoy this for just a little bit longer.”
Top: Madison Taylor plays agains Maryland. (Credit: courtesy of Northwestern Athletics)
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