CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team’s ACC Tournament run fell just short of the championship contest as they ultimately dropped a 9-4 decision against the Eagles of Boston College.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The dynamic attacking duo of Madison Ahern and Jackie Wolak got the scoring started Friday afternoon. Fighting pressure outside the arc, Wolak found Ahern through traffic for the 1-0 lead.
Following the Irish goal, Lilly Callahan came up big in the crease, stopping three close shots to keep the Blue and Gold up by one halfway through the first quarter.
With 3:56 to play in the opening quarter, the Eagles evened the tally at 1-1.
BC scored once more before the end of the quarter but a late save by Callahan kept the Irish deficit at one as the horn sounded at the end of the first.
Kasey Choma scored her fifth goal of the tournament to break the Irish scoring drought partway through the second quarter. After a shot from the doorstep was saved by the Eagles goalkeeper, the senior was awarded a free position shot in which she wasted no time capitalizing on.
A strong defensive half on both sides, the Eagles scored twice more as the Irish trailed 5-2 heading into the halftime break.
Kasey Choma opened the scoring in the second half, capitalizing on her second free position of the day just 39 seconds into the third quarter.
On the opposite end of the field Callahan made a big save on the ensuing Eagles’ possession to give the Irish the ball back, down by two.
A pair of free position shots were denied as the Irish and Eagles each drew fouls within the arch but could not convert halfway through the third frame. A free position shot finally broke Callahan partway through the third and the Irish trailed by three.
The Irish were called for a three-second violation defending their zone and the Eagles would take advantage of the free shot to extend their lead, 7-3.
Kristen Shanahan looked to have added a tally for the Irish but after review the follow through landed within the goal circle and the fourth Irish opportunity of the day was waved off.
The Irish snapped the Eagles’ scoring run with a goal from Jane McAvoy with 2:10 to play in regulation.
McAvoy’s tally was the final of the day as the Irish fell to the Eagles, 9-4, in the ACC Tournament semifinals.
Lilly Callahan finished the day with 10 saves against the Eagles.
ND NOTES
- The Irish found goals from Choma (two), Ahern and McAvoy Friday afternoon. Choma’s 58th of the season leads the program while Ahern ranks second among the Irish offense, firing 56 shots across the line this season.
- Callahan’s 10 saves was her third career double-digit save count.
- Notre Dame held the Eagles to their third-lowest goal total of the season.
- The Irish won the ground ball battle, picking up 19 loose balls compared to the Eagles’ 18. Keelin Schlateger led the team with four ground balls on the day.
- The two teams tied in the draw circle, with both sides winning eight battles on the draw.
UP NEXT
Following the loss, the Irish will now wait to see their NCAA postseason fate. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday evening, May 7.