SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The 12th-ranked University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team defeated No. 3 North Carolina 16-12 Saturday.
Kasey Choma’s goal just 59 seconds into play gave the Irish an early lead, one which they held wire-to-wire to clinch their first win over a top-five opponent this season.
With the victory against the Tar Heels, the Irish maintain an undefeated home record in 2023 (7-0) and are 8-3 overall. Their 4-2 ACC record puts them into fifth in the conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish jumped out to a 5-2 lead to start the game as Kasey Choma, Kelly Denes, Hannah Dorney, Madison Ahern and Jane McAvoy all notched goals in the opening quarter against UNC Saturday.
Notre Dame continued to dominate in the second quarter, holding the Tar Heels to just two more goals and extending their lead to five. Goals from MK Doherty, Jackie Wolak, Denes and Ahern gave the Irish women a 9-4 lead heading into the halftime break.
The third quarter leaned in favor of the visiting Tar Heels with four goals off the free position but the Irish clung to the 12-9 lead. Choma tallied two goals in the third frame to score her team-best seventh hat trick of the year. Kristen Shanahan also scored in the frame for her 12th goal of the year.
Notre Dame secured the win when they outscored the Tar Heels 4-3 in the final quarter for the 16-12 final. Fourth quarter goals from Ahern and Denes, as well as Callahan’s two saves in the final 15 minutes, gave the Irish the win.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Irish snapped UNC’s 27-game conference win-streak Saturday afternoon. The Tar Heels’ last conference loss came on March 31, 2019 also at Notre Dame.
NOTRE DAME NOTES
- Ahern’s five goals led the Irish to victory Saturday over No. 3 UNC. The senior now sits at 198 career points, including 140 goals over her four seasons with the Irish.
- Including Ahern, three women tallied hat tricks in the victory as Choma and Denes each scored three goals Saturday afternoon.
- With an empty net goal late in the game, Denes scored a season-high three goals and tied her career-best with the hat trick performance.
- The Irish defense suffocated the Tar Heels Saturday with nine caused turnovers led by McHugh, Weigand and Shanahan with two a piece.
- Callahan’s seven saves in goal bring her career total to 99.
- The Notre Dame women had 21 points in the win behind 16 goals and five assists. Wolak and Doherty led the team with two assists each while Ahern’s five goals was a team-best in both goals and points.
UP NEXT
The Irish conclude their home stand next weekend when they host Boston College for a conference clash at noon on Saturday, April 8. The game between the Irish and Eagles will be broadcast on ESPNU.