SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 8/8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1, 2-1) secured another ranked win as they defeated the No. 24/23 Pitt Panthers on Saturday afternoon in a 12-9 victory at Arlotta Stadium. The Irish have four ranked wins this season and have held their opponents to single-digit scoring five times, including the 25-0 shutout against Central Michigan.
The Irish were led by freshman Maura Irish, who finished with a career-high four goals and four points in the win. Her impressive stat line continued as she tied for a team-best three ground balls and three caused turnovers. Abby Lyons also tied for a team-best three ground balls and Julia Carr tied for a team-best three caused turnovers.
What a day for Maura Irish 🔥
The freshman finished with a career-high 4️⃣ goals in the win!#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/PABBQvjcbT
— Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse (@NDWomensLax) February 28, 2026
Kate Timarky and Madison Rassas each recorded two goals and two assists apiece for a pair of four-point performances. Emma Murphy also scored two goals, followed by Charley Bacigalupo and Grace Maroney with a goal each.
M. Irish would get the offense started as she put Notre Dame on the board, sparking a 4-0 run with goals from Rassas and Murphy followed by a free position goal from Timakry.
The Irish held the Panthers scoreless through the first 12:55 of the game as Pitt wasn’t able to score until the 2:05 mark of the first period. While they were finally on the board to make it 4-1, Maroney answered by causing a turnover, recovering the ground ball, and taking it all the way to the house to make it 5-1.
Pitt would score one last goal in the period to bring them within three at 5-2 heading into the second quarter.
Notre Dame put away the two first goals of the second to extend their lead 7-2 with goals from Bacigalupo and M. Irish. Pitt countered with a goal of their own, but the Irish responded quickly as Wynter Jock found Rassas for another Irish goal to make it 8-3 with 9:05 remaining in the half.
Pitt would go on to score three straight goals to make it a two-goal game, but Timarky would score one last goal to close out the half to make it 9-6 heading into the third period.
Who other than M. Irish to get things started in the second half as she scored back-to-back goals to open the third quarter, putting the Irish up by 11-6.
The Irish and Panthers would each net one more goal in the third to make it 12-7 heading into the final period. Notre Dame had some looks in the fourth, and while Pitt would score two more goals, the Irish would secure the win 12-9.
UP NEXT
The Irish are back in action on Sunday, March 8 at No. 9/9 Clemson at 12:00 p.m.