NOTRE DAME, Ind. – After a low-scoring first half, the No. 6/6 Notre Dame (2-0) attack erupted for seven goals in the third quarter to blow the game open at 11-4 en route to the 13-5 win over No. 18/17 Richmond on Sunday afternoon at Arlotta Stadium.
The Irish attack was led by freshman Pat Kavanagh, who scored his second hat trick in as many career games, finishing with four goals and an assist for a game-high five points. Sophomore Griffin Westlin notched the first hat trick of his career with three goals and an assist.
Notre Dame’s defense was stingy all afternoon, allowing just five goals in the win. The defense recorded 10 caused turnovers and allowed just 13 shots on target over the 60 minutes. Senior Jack Kielty led the unit with three caused turnovers. Freshman goalie Liam Entenmann posted eight saves in cage.
How It Happened
The defensive units for both sides were the stars of the first half, as the Irish took a 4-2 lead into the halftime break. Westlin came up with a huge goal right before the break, finding the back of the net with one second left to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
The Irish attack exploded for seven goals in the third quarter, putting Notre Dame in complete control of the game. The two sides traded goals over the first 10 minutes of the third, moving the score to 6-4. Notre Dame then ended the period in a flurry, scoring five goals over the last five minutes to take an 11-4 lead into the fourth.
Notre Dame then scored the first two goals of the fourth to go on top 13-4 before Richmond scored the final goal of the game in the last minute to make the final score 13-5.