SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A record setting day for the Irish women’s lacrosse team led them to a 26-5 victory over visiting Pitt Saturday in Arlotta Stadium. A program best draw control for one, 200 career goal mark for another, and double digit points for a third all highlighted Saturday’s contest.
The Saturday game concluded the team’s Daughters 4 Dads month with a 6-1 record in March. Fans can still donate to the team’s month-long initiative here.
The Irish looked to have scored on their opening possession after Abby Lyons won the opening draw but a dangerous follow through was called and the score remained 0-0.
A defensive stand on the other end of the field resulted in a turnover caused by Keelin Schlageter to send the ball back to the Irish attack. Jackie Wolak and Madison Ahern connected on the opening goal as the Irish took the 1-0 lead.
The Irish jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after a behind the back goal from Arden Tierney.
Pitt responded with a pair of goals, one of which came off the free position, to knot things up 2-2 but four unanswered goals by the Irish gave them the 6-2 lead with three minutes to play in the quarter and the Panthers called timeout.
The Panthers snapped the Irish run with a goal at 2:49 to make it a 6-3 contest.
Kasey Choma scored off the free position attempt moments later to reclaim the four-goal lead for the Irish with under two minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Pitt would score once more before the end of the quarter to make it a 7-4 game through 15 minutes played.
Abby Maichin opened the scoring in the second quarter to give the Irish the 8-4 lead before Jackie Wolak forced a turnover on the following possession and raced in uncontested for her third of the day and the 9-4 score.
Ahern scored moments later, further extending the Irish lead to six goals as they held the 10-4 lead partway through the frame.
Meghan O’Hare scored off a free position opportunity to give the Irish the 11-4 lead eight minutes into the second quarter.
The Irish closed out the half with four more goals and held the Panthers scoreless in the second frame to take the 15-4 lead into the halftime break.
Choma opened the second half scoring with her hat trick goal to make it a 16-4 game just 45 seconds into the third quarter.
The Irish scoring run continued with goals from the Irish depth as the end of the quarter loomed. Notre Dame extended their lead to 21-4 to but the scoring streak was snapped as Pitt recorded their first goal since the opening quarter with just five seconds to play in the third.
Notre Dame outscored Pitt 5-0 in the final frame, with goals coming from Wolak, Fran Frieri, Franny O’Brien and Angie Conley to round out the game and give Notre Dame the 26-5 final.
Izzy Pithie came in goal halfway through the fourth quarter after Callahan had made five saves on the day. Pithie recorded one save in the fourth quarter to keep the Panthers scoreless through the final 15 and preserve the 26-5 game.
KEY STATS
- With her third goal of the game, Madison Ahern eclipsed the 200 career goal mark and had her third consecutive three-plus goal game. She finished the day with four goals and two assists for six total points.
- Winning the final draw control of the game, Kelly Denes marked her 16th of the day, a career-best and tying the program record for draw controls in a single game – previously set by Andie Aldave in 2019.
- With an assist on Denes’ goal at 7:25 of the third quarter, Wolak set a career best nine points in the contest. She would go on to finish the day with 11 total. In addition to her career mark in points, Wolak’s six assists on the day was also a personal best for the graduate.
- The Irish finished the day with a 26-7 edge at the draw, with Denes leading the team in the category and hitting a career best and program record.
- Lilly Callahan improved to 10-2 on the season in cage with five saves and a .500 save percentage.
- After allowing four goals in the opening quarter, the Irish held the Panthers to just one goal in the final 45 minutes for the 26-5 final.
- With 26 goals on the afternoon, the Irish recorded their fifth 20+ goal performance of the season and second in as many games.
- Four Irish individuals recorded hat tricks in the contest with Wolak (five), Ahern (four), Choma (three) and Tierney (three) each reaching the mark.
- Wolak’s five goals on the day tied her season high.
UP NEXT
The Irish return to Arlotta Stadium next Saturday for their regular season home finale as they host Duke (April 6). Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the team will honor its 17 seniors prior to first draw at 1pm.