In 2016, Notre Dame was one game from the Final Four. Head coach Christine Halfpenny relished the run towards history, but even then, she had an eye to the future — and on the group she’d have in 2020. She and her staff were scouring the country, recruiting players that would go onto make up the Inside Lacrosse’s No. 2 incoming class. She didn’t know midfielder Kasey Choma and attacker Madison Ahern would be tabbed the top freshmen at their positions, but she knew they were gritty, talented and could mesh with a large group of returners. And to this day, she has a gut feeling they’ll put the Irish in a position to play in the Final Four this year.
