After WLL Debut, Epke Back At Northwestern — Playing Field Hockey

Maddie Epke woke up a champion on May 25. She had just helped Northwestern win a national title, defeating North Carolina 14-11. Her biggest question: “What’s next?” The Women’s Lacrosse League was part of it, but she hadn’t closed the book on Northwestern.

“I had a taste of what it's like to win, and I'm not done with playing college sports,” Epke said. “I just got here. I feel it.”

Epke went to Kelly Amonte Hiller’s office to discuss her WLL contract. But she wound up asking a bonus question: “What are the chances I could play field hockey?

Amonte Hiller and Epke walked three doors down to Tracey Fuchs, the legendary Northwestern field hockey coach who led the Wildcats to titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025. Fuchs said she’d be happy to let her try out.

“It was kind of funny,” Epke said. “Of course I'm trying to walk on like the hardest team to walk on to right now.”

Epke was an All-State field hockey midfielder in high school, graduating from Guilford (Conn.) as the all-time scoring leader (90G, 69A). But she’s only “played for fun” over the course of her college lacrosse career.

Still, her confidence isn’t something to shake a stick (lacrosse or field hockey) at. Epke initially starred at James Madison, starting all 61 games during her three years there, while tallying 139 goals, 74 assists and 485 draw controls.

James Madison is typically ranked in the top 20, but Northwestern? It's in the top three. Top one since the end of May. That didn’t stop her from daring to spend her senior season in Wildcat Country, ultimately helping Northwestern to a national crown. (It also didn't stop her from trying out for and making the eventual gold medal-winning 2024 U.S. Women’s U20 National U20 Team.)

Epke approached training for the tryout with a blend of humility and assurance.

“The [Northwestern field hockey and lacrosse] teams are similar — both are super competitive,” she said. “They’re both big-time winners. Everyone’s full of gratitude and love for each other, and it’s cool. These [women] have already accepted me, even though I’m obviously more behind on playing. I was excited to possibly join a new team and be a part of a championship culture.”

And while Epke might not have played field hockey competitively since turning her tassel at Guilford, she wasn’t going into her training or tryout cold.

“Every sport I played has translated in some way to lacrosse,” said Epke, who also played ice hockey in high school. “It’s why I’ve been able to keep up my quick wrists with draws, and it’s translated back to field hockey because of the hand-eye coordination and wrist strength. Now, in this fifth year, I feel my hands are better than ever. I never lost my touch on the ball.”

Still, the sports are different — lacrosse is more sprint-based, while field hockey is more endurance-based. But Epke is having fun with the challenge.

One thing that didn’t translate under the current NCAA eligibility requirements or the previous one? Epke’s eligibility to play field hockey. Since she’s competing in a different sport, they don’t apply. She just had to miss her final WLL game with the Boston Guard.

She was busy not only with the Guard but with training for her tryout between games this summer. She wrangled old friends from high school, her old high school coach and her sister, Kate, a rising high school senior who plays field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse at Westminster (Conn.). She is committed to Furman for lacrosse.

“I went to the turf every day, playing for at least an hour per day, trying to get ready to join this group because I don’t want to let them down,” Epke said.

She didn’t just want to remaster old skills but learn some new ones, including the reverse sweep. It’s a skill that involves rotating the stick and using a sweeping, low-to-the-ground motion to pass or shoot quickly and accurately.

“We worked hard on that because Maddie’s high school coach was like, ‘If you get this done, you’ll be all set,’” her sister said.

Epke learned it. Then she went through a few rounds of tryouts at Northwestern.

“Tracey Fuchs called me and was like, ‘We’re excited to have you join,’” Epke said. “They literally put me in a uniform the next day to get a photo shoot done for the media release because I don’t have any recent field hockey pictures.”

Northwestern field hockey, which includes Epke on its roster, opens its season on Friday at home against VCU.

Epke’s success fits the image her younger sister has long had of her.

“She has such a determined mindset, pushes me to be a better player,” Kate Epke said. “I want to try as hard as I can, too ... I’ve watched all the big games Maddie’s played in since she was growing up — since first grade — so it’s going to be exciting to see this new chapter.”

Epke holds herself to a high standard and is competitive. But for once, she’s entering a chapter without expectations — at least not for a position or playing time.

“If it's to be the best scout player they need, that's going to be me,” she said said. “If it's on the field, that's great. I can't wait to help out [with] whatever they need from me. I'm here to bring my competitive spirit.”

But Kate Epke can’t lie. She’d like to see her sister bring home something that sparkles.

“I hope she gets another natty for her graduation,” she said.