MILWAUKEE – The No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish scored 20 or more goals for their second-straight game to open the season in a commanding 21-8 win over Marquette on Sunday afternoon. This marks the first time in program history the Irish have scored at least 20 goals in back-to-back games.
The Kavanagh brothers put on a shot, as both Chris and Pat recorded seven points in the victory. Chris recorded four goals and three assists while Pat posted two goals and five assists.
Jake Taylor also had a big day, scoring four goals to bring his total to nine on the season. Graduate student Devon McLane registered his first hat trick as a member of the Irish while fellow starting midfielders Eric Dobson and Jordan Faison each fired in two goals.
The Irish defense held the Marquette attack to single digits for the first time all season and forced the Golden Eagles into 17 turnovers on the afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The hosts scored on their opening possession but Pat Kavanagh immediately responded with his first goal of the season to level it at 1-1 early. After another Marquette goal, Notre Dame scored three straight courtesy of Jalen Seymour, Devon McLane and Faison to give the Irish a 4-2 lead. However, the Golden Eagles managed to score with one second left in the first frame to trim the lead to 4-3 after the opening 15 minutes of action.
Notre Dame dominated the second quarter, outscoring Marquette 5-1 to break open a 9-4 game at the break. Chris Kavanagh had a big quarter, scoring two goals and adding an assist to pace the Irish at the break with four points (2G, 2A). Eric Dobson, Jake Taylor and Faison each added tallies in the second stanza.
The Irish offense continued to click in the third quarter, winning the frame 7-3. Notre Dame scored two goals in the opening minute of the second half off a man-up goal from Taylor and a goal off the faceoff from Will Lynch. McLane and Taylor combined for the next four goals before Chris Kavanagh scored in the final 90 seconds of play and the Irish carried a 16-7 lead into the final frame.
Notre Dame came out and scored the first four goals of the fourth quarter, opening up its biggest lead of the game at 20-7. After a Marquette goal midway through the stanza, Max Busenkell scored his third goal of the season to make the final score 21-8 in favor of Notre Dame.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Irish obliterated the program record for most goals in a two-game span, combining to score 46 goals over the last two contests. The previous mark was 40 goals, which was set in 1992 following a 15-goal performance against Air Force followed by a 25-goal day against Denver.
NOTRE DAME NOTES
- The Irish improved to 12-0 against Marquette in the all-time series and are now 4-0 when playing the Golden Eagles in Milwaukee.
- The 13-goal win is the largest margin of victory for Notre Dame in the all-time series against Marquette.
- Ten different Notre Dame players scored a goal, while 11 registered at least one point.
- The Irish attacking unit of three attackmen and three attacking midfielders combined for 17 goals and 27 points in the win.
- Baumer Family Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Kevin Corrigan improves to 46-7 in the month of February during his Notre Dame tenure.
- Sunday marks the second time both Kavanagh brothers have recorded seven points in a game, as they previously accomplished the feat in a win over Cleveland State in 2023.
- Chris Kavanagh registered the 14th hat trick of his career and now has six games with four or more goals.
- With five assists, Pat Kavanagh has now recorded five or more assists in 14 games in his Fighting Irish career, including both games so far in 2024.
- Taylor notched his 10th career hat trick and his sixth game with four or more goals.
- The Irish are now 19-1 in their last 20 games playing indoors.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame returns home to welcome Georgetown to campus next weekend, as the Irish will take on the Hoyas at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb.25 in South Bend. The game will air on ESPNU.
— ND —