The Wildcats find themselves in a familiar position.
On Sunday night, Northwestern lacrosse (15-2, 5-1 B1G) received the No. 1 seed in the 2024 NCAA tournament, marking the second straight season that the Wildcats have earned this status. This is also the first time they have gotten consecutive No. 1 seed NCAA tournament bids since they received the honor three seasons in a row from 2007 to 2009. In addition, it is the program’s 20th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and 25th overall.
. 1️⃣ @NULax #NCAAWLAX pic.twitter.com/rrqxmOvbGV
— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) May 6, 2024
As one of the top three seeds, Northwestern will receive a first-round bye. The first-round matchup between Denver and Stanford will be hosted in Evanston on May 9. The Wildcats will face the winners of that game in the second round at home on May 12, which could include a potential Final Four rematch with the Pioneers.
If NU wins the second round, it will host the NCAA Quarterfinals. The other teams in the Wildcats’ quadrant of the NCAA tournament include Duke, Loyola, Richmond and No. 8 Penn. If Loyola manages to get past Duke and the winner of Richmond vs. Penn, it could find itself in a 2023 Quarterfinal rematch with the Wildcats.
The first side of the @NCAALAX bracket: pic.twitter.com/DCrpq3Zh9l
— ILWomen (@ILWomen) May 6, 2024
On the opposite side of the NCAA Tournament bracket is No. 2 Boston College, which means that if both teams make it far enough, a 2023 National Championship rematch between Northwestern and the Eagles is still possible.
Here is the full NCAA tournament bracket:
‘ #NCAAWLAX pic.twitter.com/EfchNSyHMB
— NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) May 6, 2024
Northwestern is coming off of back-to-back Big Ten regular season and conference titles and will head into the NCAA tournament looking to win a second consecutive national championship.