Dec. 2, 2016
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Coming off of a 14-win season and NCAA Quarterfinals appearance, the University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse program on Wednesday revealed its 2017 schedule.
Notre Dame’s upcoming slate features 17 regular-season contests, including eight home games and nine
road games. The Irish open their season with an exhibition game against Team USA at the IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida).
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to play Team USA to start our preseason,” Notre Dame head coach Christine Halfpenny said. “There really is no better way to measure yourself than to play the best in the world. Our program has great respect for Team USA. They have speed, talent, incredible experience and awesome IQ. Each player is the total package.
“We’re really excited to be challenged in a way that no practice, drill, or scrimmage could ever simulate. With 11 new student-athletes in the mix and a roster full of returning talent, we are honored to compete in what will be a great event in Florida.”
Notre Dame opens its season against Northwestern at home in the schools’ first regular-season meeting since the Irish defeated the Wildcats, 15-3, in the postseason last year.
The Irish host Liberty (Feb. 10), Detroit (Feb. 11) and Marquette (Feb. 14) at home before going on the road for three straight games.
Notre Dame will play seven Atlantic Coast Conference games. The Irish open conference play at Duke (Feb. 26), followed by a home matinee versus Louisville on March 4.
The team continues ACC play at Virginia (March 18), at Syracuse (March 26), versus North Carolina (April 2), versus Virginia Tech (April 15) and at Boston College (April 22).
“Playing in the best conference in the country has really elevated our level of play,” Halfpenny said. “Our team is excited to enter our fourth year as a member of the ACC. This year’s senior class is poised to lead the 2017 team. They were freshman when we entered the ACC and have been impact players that have helped establish ND as a realistic contender for the top spot in the ACC.
“Ultimately, we’ll be taking it one game at a time, using our strong non-conference schedule to help prepare us for each opportunity that awaits us in ACC play.”
Notre Dame’s first four home games will be played at Loftus Sports Center, while its game versus Louisville marks its first game of the season at Arlotta Stadium.
The Irish will begin the postseason by traveling to Richmond, Virginia, to compete in the ACC Tournament from April 27-30 at the Richmond Sports Backers Stadium. NCAA play opens with first-round games on May 12, and the postseason concludes with the Final Four at Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Mass.).
Notre Dame looks to make its sixth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship. The Irish finished their 2016 season with a 14-7 record and their first appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals since 2009.
For more information on the women’s lacrosse program, visit und.com/wlacrosse and follow @NDWomensLax on Twitter.
Team USA Spring Premiere Schedule
Saturday, January 14, 2017
3 p.m. U.S. Women vs. Florida
5 p.m. U.S. Women vs. Florida
Sunday, January 15, 2017
10 a.m. U.S. Women vs. Notre Dame
1 p.m. U.S. Men vs. Notre Dame
Complete 2017 Women’s Lacrosse Schedule
All Times ET
January 15 — ND at Team USA (IMG Academy; Bradenton, Florida; 10 a.m.)
February 5 — Northwestern vs. ND (1 p.m.)
February 10 — Liberty vs. ND (7 p.m.)
February 11 — Detroit vs. ND (3 p.m.)
February 14 — Marquette vs. ND (7 p.m.)
February 18 — ND at Michigan (1 p.m.)
February 23 — ND at Elon (6 p.m.)
February 26 — ND at Duke (12 p.m.)
March 4 — Louisville vs. ND (1 p.m.)
March 7 — Ohio State vs. ND (7 p.m.)
March 11 — ND at Princeton (1 p.m.)
March 15 — ND at Towson (4 p.m.)
March 18 — ND at Virginia (12 p.m.)
March 26 — ND at Syracuse (12 p.m.)
April 2 — North Carolina vs. ND (12 p.m.)
April 6 — ND at Kennesaw State (1 p.m.)
April 15 — Virginia Tech vs. ND (12 p.m.)
April 22 — ND at Boston College (12 p.m.)
April 27-30 — ACC Tournament (TBA)
May 12 — NCAA First Round (TBA)
May 14 — NCAA Second Round (TBA)
May 20-21 — NCAA Elite Eight (TBA)
May 26-28 — NCAA Final Four (TBA)
–ND–
Megan Golden, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since August of 2016. In her role, she coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse and cross country/track and field programs. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Golden is a 2014 graduate of Saint Mary’s College and former Irish women’s basketball manager. Prior to arriving at Notre Dame, she worked in public relations with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.