April 1, 2017
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Following a stretch of 26 days and four straight road games, the No. 12 University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team (9-4, 3-1) will host No. 2 North Carolina (9-1, 2-0) at Noon ET on Sunday at Arlotta Stadium.
The Irish are riding a decisive 16-7 victory at No. 4 Syracuse in which Notre Dame’s seniors combined to record 13 points on 10 goals and three assists. Seven members of the Class of 2017 made the start, and the group totaled nine draw controls, 11 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.
WHAT: No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 12 Notre Dame
WHEN: April 2 at Noon ET
WHERE: Arlotta Stadium (Notre Dame, Ind.)
LIVE STREAM: ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN
History vs. North Carolina
Notre Dame has never beaten North Carolina in six games against the Heels. The Irish will host North Carolina for just the second time in program history. Notre Dame is 0-1 at home against the Tar Heels.
In the teams’ latest matchup, the Irish fell to North Carolina, 10-6, in the NCAA Quarterfinals on May 21, 2016.
Giacolone Garners National Recognition
Sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Giacolone was named National Player of the Week by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). Giacolone tallied a career-high-tying 13 saves in Notre Dame’s 16-7 win over No. 2 Syracuse on Sunday.
The Manorville, New York, native also scooped up four ground balls and caused one turnover in the win.
Giacolone also was named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. The honor marks the second of the season and third of her career.
Notre Dame has received four ACC weekly honors this season.
Daughters for Dads
The Irish will hold their annual Daughters for Dads fundraiser during the team’s game against North Carolina on Sunday. Saint Joseph Health System will donate $25 to Harper Cancer Research Institute for every fan in attendance.
Early-arriving fans will receive a commemorative Daughters for Dads 16-ounce glass, sponsored by ABC 57 News. For more on the weekend’s promotions, click here.
Admission is free to all fans for every 2017 Irish women’s lacrosse regular-season home game.
ACC Rankings
- Senior Casey Pearsall ranks third in the ACC in assists per game (1.67).
- Senior Cortney Fortunato is third in the conference with an average of 4.00 points per game and is tied for fifth in the ACC with 3.00 goals per game.
- Sophomore Samantha Giacolone ranks second in the conference in ground balls per game (3.00).
- Freshman Savannah Buchanan ranks fourth in the conference with an average of 1.54 caused turnovers per game.
Live Coverage
Sunday’s game will be broadcast by the ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN. To watch, click here.
For a closer, behind-the-scenes look at the Irish women’s lacrosse program, follow @NDWomensLax on Twitter and ndwlax on Snapchat.
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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.