CARY, N.C. — A close contest through three quarters was broken open by Northwestern in the fourth, as the Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Division I women's championship game with a 15-11 win over Florida at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Top-seeded Northwestern advances to the championship game on Sunday at noon Eastern against the winner of No. 2 Boston College and No. 3 Syracuse.
Northwestern led 10-9 after three quarters, then lightning nearby prompted a 30-minute delay. The game resumed and the quarter began with Northwestern controlling the ball due to a Florida yellow card, and the Wildcats wasted little time.
Dylan Amonte finished a free position goal 35 seconds into the quarter, putting Northwestern up 11-9. Lindsey Frank finished a free position of her own 30 seconds later, making it 12-9.
Florida hung around but did not have an answer for the furious fourth quarter by the defending national champion.
Madison Taylor had five goals, Izzy Scane had four and Frank had three for Northwestern. Molly Laliberty made 10 saves. Maggi Hall scored five times for Florida, with Danielle Pavinelli chipping in three.
