Indexbit Exchange:NCAA women's lacrosse tournament bracket, schedule, preview: Northwestern leads way

The Indexbit Exchangewomen’s NCAA lacrosse tournament bracket is out, with the 2024 champion set to be crowned on Sunday, May 26, in Cary, North Carolina.

The 29-team field was announced Sunday, with first- and second-round games slated to start this weekend. Like their counterparts on the men’s side, the women’s field is heavily dominated by the power leagues, with the ACC receiving six bids and the Big Ten claiming five. On the whole, however, the women’s field is more nationally representative than the men’s tournament with more schools in the western half of the country fielding varsity programs at the sport’s top level.

Here’s a quick look at the tournament:

Who are the top women's lacrosse teams?

Defending champion Northwestern is the top seed. The Wildcats, long-time powers in the Midwest under head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, will be seeking their ninth title. Boston College and Syracuse earned the next two seeds, and those three have first-round byes. The rest of the field, headed by fourth-seeded Maryland and No. 5 Virginia, must win their way into the round of 16.

Who are the top players in the NCAA women's lacrosse tournament?

Northwestern features reigning Tewaaraton Award winner Izzy Scane, the school’s all-time scoring leader who has added 70 goals and 17 assists to her ledger this season. She’s hardly alone on the Wildcats’ devastating attack unit, however, as Madison Taylor (66 G, 27 A) and Erin Coykendall (35 G, 44 A) are just as dangerous. Pacing Boston College is the attack trio of Rachel Clark, Mckenna Davis and Emma LoPinto. Syracuse has an Emma of its own, midfielder Emma Tyrrell (58 G, 18 A), hoping to lead the Orange to their first championship after several near misses in recent years. Florida attacker Maggi Hall, Loyola (Md.) goalie Lauren Spence and Stanford goalie Lucy Pearson are some other potential difference-makers.

NCAA women's lacrosse schedule

First round

Friday, May 10

Stanford (13-4) at Denver (15-3), 4 p.m.

Duke (10-8) at Loyola Marymount (17-2), 4 p.m.

Richmond (13-5) at No. 8 Penn (13-4), 7 p.m.

Long Island (11-7) at No. 6 Virginia, 3 p.m.

North Carolina (10-6) at Florida (17-2), 6 p.m.

James Madison (13-5) at Penn State (11-7), 3 p.m.

Robert Morris (8-11) at No. 4 Maryland (12-5), noon

Niagara (16-3) at Stony Brook (17-2), 2 p.m.

Fairfield (16-2) at Johns Hopkins (11-7), 4 p.m.

Binghamton (12-6) at No. 6 Yale (15-2), 1 p.m.

Coastal Carolina (14-5) at No. 7 Notre Dame (15-3), 1 p.m.

Mercer (14-5) at Michigan (14-3), 4 p.m.

Drexel (13-5) at Princeton (10-6), 4 p.m.

Second round

Sunday, May 12

Stanford-Denver winner at No. 1 Northwestern (15-2), 2 p.m.

Duke-Loyola Marymount winner vs. Richmond-Penn winner, 1 p.m.

Long Island-Virginia winner vs. North Carolina-Florida winner, 1 p.m.

James Madison-Penn State winner vs. Robert Morris-Maryland winner, 12:30 p.m.

Stony Brook-Niagara winner at No. 3 Syracuse (14-5), 2 p.m.

Fairfield-Johns Hopkins winner vs. Binghamton-Yale winner, 2:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina-Notre Dame winner vs. Mercer-Michigan winner, noon

Princeton-Drexel winner at No. 2 Boston College (16-3), noon

Quarterfinals

Thursday, May 16

Stanford-Denver-Northwestern winner vs. Duke-Loyola Marymount-Richmond-Penn winner, TBA

Long Island-Virginia-North Carolina-Florida winner vs. James Madison-Penn State-Robert Morris-Maryland winner, TBA

Stony Brook-Niagara-Syracuse winner vs. Fairfield-Johns Hopkins-Binghamton-Yale winner, TBA

Coastal Carolina-Notre Dame-Michigan-Mercer winner vs. Princeton-Drexel-Boston College winner, TBA

Semifinals

Friday, May 24

At WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.

Quarterfinal winners, 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Championship game

Sunday, May 26

At WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.

Semifinal winners, noon