NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Andie Aldave set the Irish program record with her 270th career draw control and collected a game-high six points (4G, 2A) as #6/7 Notre Dame improved to 3-0 with a 24-4 victory over Central Michigan on Sunday afternoon inside Loftus Sports Center.
Aldave eclipsed Barbara Sullivan’s (‘16) career total of 269 draw controls, and now holds the Irish single-game, single-season and career marks.
Ten different players found the back of the net for the Irish, including Aldave (4), Maddie Howe (4), Erin McBride (4), Madison Ahern (3), Kasey Choma (2), Jessi Masinko (2), Samantha Lynch (2), Cassie Ford, Haley Schultz and Jackie Wolak.
Aldave’s record-breaking effort included 11 draw controls while Choma and Kathleen Roe each added three draw controls. As a team, the Irish earned a 22-7 advantage in the circle.
Notre Dame caused 10 Chippewa turnovers and earned an 18-9 advantage in ground balls.
Bridget Deehan earned the victory in goal with two saves before Grace Steffens stopped three shots in relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish closed the first half with 11 straight goals to earn a 17-2 advantage at the break. Aldave and Howe led Notre Dame’s scoring barrage with four goals apiece in the frame.
McBride, Schultz and Ford extended Notre Dame’s scoring run to 14 with second-half tallies to make it 20-2.
After Central Michigan netted back-to-back markers, the Irish closed the contest with four consecutive scores by Wolak, McBride, Ahern and Choma to make it a 24-4 final.
Coach Halfpenny on going 2-0 this weekend:
“Overall, I’m really proud of this team for its effort this weekend. We were locked in with just two days to prepare for Northwestern and then had a quick turnaround this afternoon. I thought our level of focus was extremely high all weekend and you saw our depth really showcase itself in these two games. With the leadership we have with our fifth-years and senior class we’re going to keep growing and get better as the season continues.”
Coach Halfpenny on Andie Aldave’s record-breaking effort:
“What a great day for Andie. I think Barbara Sullivan would be the first one to tell you that records are meant to be broken. Andie does it with a combination of skill and effort. She has an uncanny ability to get the ball on her stick in the messiest of situations. We’re super proud of Andie and she’ll be the first one to tell you that it’s a full-team effort.”
Andie Aldave on breaking the Irish draw control record:
“I couldn’t do it without everyone around me, including my teammates and the coaching staff, specifically Kerry (Stoothoff, assistant coach), that continue to push this group to get better everyday. This record is really a testament to the program and where we’re heading.”
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Andie Aldave broke Barbara Sullivan’s (‘16) program record by earning her 270th career draw control.
- Maddie Howe has opened the 2020 season with three consecutive four-goal efforts.
- Freshman Madison Ahern has opened her college career with three straight hat tricks.
- Freshman Kasey Choma has opened her college career with three straight multi-goal efforts.
- Erin McBride set a career-high with four goals in the victory.
- After being sidelined for her first two seasons due to injury, Nicole Massimino played in her first collegiate game today for the Irish.
UP NEXT
#6/7 Notre Dame is back home next Sunday (Feb. 23) to take on Ohio State. The contest is slated for 4 p.m. ET inside Loftus Sports Center and will be streamed live via ACC Network Extra.
—ND—