The NMU lacrosse team is off to a blazing start in 2026, and on Saturday inside the Superior Dome, they displayed that when you control the draw, you control the game.
Behind a historic performance from Josie Lakosky, the Wildcats rolled past the McKendree Bearcats women’s lacrosse, 15-5, improving to 3-0 on the young season. The victory itself was a complete wallop with the Catpack commanding the game in every phase.
Lakosky delivered one of the most dominant single-game performances in program history, firing off 20 shots and putting 17 of them on goal — both program and career highs. She matched her career-best with eight goals for the second straight weekend, finishing with nine total points and serving as the engine behind an elite Wildcat offense.
However, the story started at the draw circle. NMU controlled possession from the opening whistle, winning 16 draw controls compared to just six for McKendree — the second-fewest allowed by the Wildcats in the past two seasons. Lakosky claimed seven of those herself, repeatedly giving the counterattack extra opportunities and keeping the Bearcats on their heels.
The Wildcats wasted no time setting the tone. Hannah Jabas scored to open the contest and added another just ten seconds later after a quick draw win and sharp feed from Lakosky. Suddenly it was 2-0, and the squadron was beginning to generate momentum as per usual.
The defense made sure that momentum continued to blossom. Natalie Thomas was everywhere, collecting three ground balls and causing two turnovers. NMU forced 18 McKendree turnovers overall — the most by a Wildcat opponent this season — and turned several of them directly into transition goals. Evita Weiche and Payton Ross each sparked key defensive sequences that flipped the field in an instant.
By the end of the first quarter, NMU held a 4-1 advantage and had already peppered the Bearcats’ goalkeeper with 10 shots on target. Vanessa Carrico and Jabas each netted two goals, while Grimm and Emily Radke added second-half tallies to keep up the pressure. Lakosky buried a pair of free-position attempts late in the second quarter to help NMU carry an 11-4 lead into halftime, effectively putting the game out of reach.
In net, freshman Hannah Clark made three saves in her first collegiate start, earning her first career victory. At the final whistle, the stat sheet read: 37-14 in shots, 23-7 in shots on goal, and complete dominance from the gals in green and gold.
Now 3-0, the Wildcats will look to keep their momentum rolling when they host the Lewis Flyers on Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. ET in the Superior Dome — the final game of their opening home stand.
