Northwestern University Athletics

Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Lacrosse Earns IWLCA Region Coaching Staff of the Year
6/18/2025 2:07:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
NORTHBOROUGH, MASS. – For the second consecutive season, the Northwestern lacrosse coaching staff, led by Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, has been named the IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association) West/Midwest Region Staff of the Year.
The staff — consisting of Amonte Hiller, Scott Hiller, Charlie Leonard and Alexis Venechanos — guided Northwestern to its third consecutive national championship game appearance, capping off the season with a 19-3 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in Big Ten play. The Wildcats claimed both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles for the third straight year and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally.
Northwestern earned numerous accolades, including four IWLCA All-Americans (Madison Taylor, Sammy White, Jane Hansen, Sam Smith), eight All-Big Ten selections, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (Taylor), and Coach of the Year honors for Amonte Hiller. The Wildcats were led by the nation's top goal scorer in Taylor, who set NCAA single-season records with 109 goals and 4.95 goals per game. Defensively, the 'Cats were among the nation's best, ranking third in goals allowed per game (8.64) and sixth in draw control percentage (.632).
The staff — consisting of Amonte Hiller, Scott Hiller, Charlie Leonard and Alexis Venechanos — guided Northwestern to its third consecutive national championship game appearance, capping off the season with a 19-3 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in Big Ten play. The Wildcats claimed both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles for the third straight year and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally.
Northwestern earned numerous accolades, including four IWLCA All-Americans (Madison Taylor, Sammy White, Jane Hansen, Sam Smith), eight All-Big Ten selections, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (Taylor), and Coach of the Year honors for Amonte Hiller. The Wildcats were led by the nation's top goal scorer in Taylor, who set NCAA single-season records with 109 goals and 4.95 goals per game. Defensively, the 'Cats were among the nation's best, ranking third in goals allowed per game (8.64) and sixth in draw control percentage (.632).
Players Mentioned
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