WLAX Game of the week: No. 3 Northwestern vs. No. 4 John's Hopkins

A top-five Big Ten women’s lacrosse matchup is looming as No. 3 Northwestern sets off to Baltimore to face No. 4 Johns Hopkins in a key conference matchup

The winner of the matchup will contain sole possession of first place in the Big Ten. Both teams hold a 3-0 record in conference play and a 9-2 record overall.

The matchup with the Blue Jays will be the Wildcats’ fourth-straight contest against a ranked opponent. In this stretch, Northwestern defeated then-No.4 Maryland 16-4 and then-No.18 USC 17-8. The Wildcats fell to No. 2 North Carolina 15-12.

Johns Hopkins has been on a roll since losing two of its first three games. The Blue Jays are winners of eight straight and haven’t lost since Feb. 11, when they fell 11-7 to Loyola.

The Wildcats have one of the best scoring offenses in the nation, averaging 16.3 goals per game. This mark ranks first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally.

Northwestern also places top-three nationally in scoring margin, out scoring its opponents 179-87.

The Blue Jays have the second best scoring offense in the Big Ten, averaging 15 goals per game.

Madison Taylor is Northwestern's best offensive player, but she’s also one of the top scorers in the nation. The junior has 55 goals on the season and averages 5 goals per game. Both of these marks rank second nationally. Taylor also leads the team with 19 assists and 74 points.

Johns Hopkins has an offensive weapon of its own in Ashley Mackin. Mackin has nearly identical numbers to Taylor, leading the Blue Jays with 53 goals, 17 assists and 70 points.

Mackin played one less game than Taylor, so her 5.3 goal per game average is slightly higher and ranks as the top average in the nation.

In Johns Hopkins’ most recent win over Oregon, Mackin netted in eight goals, which matched the total that the Ducks scored as a team.

Mackin and Taylor are the Big Ten leaders in points per game, with Mackin averaging seven and Taylor averaging 6.7.

In the net for Northwestern, Delaney Sweitzer has appeared in and started nine games for the Wildcats, posting a 7-2 record. Sweitzer has a 8.55 goals against average, which is second in the Big Ten. The graduate student also totals 68 saves and a .504 save percentage.

For the Blue Jays, Morgan Giardina has started all 11 games in the net. The junior has a 10.85 goals against average, 115 goals allowed, 70 saves and accumulating a .378 save percentage.

These two highly talented squads will hash things out at 6 p.m. Thursday with high stakes and possession of the Big Ten on the line.

Gianna Dowling is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gmd5738@psu.edu.