DURHAM, N.C. — Andie Aldave collected six points (4G, 2A) and Savannah Buchanan recorded eight draw controls as #4 Notre Dame handed #12 Duke a 15-7 defeat Sunday afternoon at Koskinen Stadium.
With the victory, the Irish improve to 13-2 overall and close the ACC regular season with a 5-2 mark in conference play, which is the best conference record the Irish have had since joining the ACC in 2014.
Led by Buchanan’s eight, the Irish earned a 16-7 advantage on draw controls over Duke. Aldave also added five of her own to push her season total to 122.
Seniors Samantha Lynch (4G, 1A) and Nikki Ortega (1G, 4A) had five-point efforts for the Irish while sophomore Maddie Howe earned her 10th hat trick of the season.
Notre Dame outshot Duke 44-18 over the 60 minutes of play and earned an 18-11 advantage in ground balls.
Senior Samantha Giacolone made seven saves to earn her 13th victory of the season and program-leading 46th of her career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in just the first 6:54 of play. Aldave netted the first three goals of the contest before Buchanan, Madison Mote and Lynch capped off the scoring run.
After a pair of Duke goals made it a 6-2 contest, Maddie Howe and Lynch restored a six-goal lead for the Irish with 12:34 left in the opening half.
Nikki Ortega, who also had three assists in the first 30 minutes, scored with 10:43 left in the half to make it a 9-3 contest.
Howe converted her second marker of the game with 3:44 remaining in the frame before a pair of Duke goals made it a 10-6 score at the half.
Notre Dame also earned a 12-4 advantage on the draw in the first half, with Buchanan collecting six draws and Aldave earning four. The Irish also outshot the Blue Devils 28-9 in the opening 30 minutes of play.
The Irish maintained control in the second half, outscoring Duke 5-1, with two goals from Lynch in addition to markers by Aldave, Howe and junior Jessi Masinko.
Five of Giacolone’s seven stops came in the second half to buoy the Irish defense.
Head coach Christine Halfpenny’s thoughts:
“I’m so excited for this 2019 team. They’ve really done so many incredible things. Today was a big program win to earn that fifth ACC regular season victory. Getting that fifth conference win reflects on the path and trajectory that this program has been on. Today was also a total team effort. Everybody was ready when their number was called, and stepped up to make big plays. I’m really proud of the continued belief this entire group displays in each other day in and day out.”
Nikki Ortega’s thoughts:
“I thought we really moved the ball well and attacked from all points of the offense. We really wanted to get that fifth ACC win, and to do so on the road is really special.”
Savannah Buchanan’s thoughts:
“We knew coming in that the draw was going to be perhaps the most important part of this game. As a group, we worked really well together today to control draws and scoop up loose ground balls. To get five ACC wins, something that hasn’t been done before here, is really special and I’m proud to have done it alongside this group of people.”
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- The Irish earn five ACC regular-season wins for the first time since joining the conference in 2014.
- The Irish held an opponent under 10 goals for the 10th time this season.
- The eight draw controls by junior Savannah Buchanan ties her season-high (2/14 at Marquette) and are just one shy of her career-high (9 vs. Detroit Mercy, 2/11/17)
- Senior Samantha Giacolone earned her 13th victory in goal this season for the Irish, and has most career wins in goal in program history with 46.
- Sophomore Maddie Howe has now recorded a hat trick in 10 games this season.
- Sophomore Andie Aldave has 122 draw controls in 2019, and 220 for her career.
UP NEXT
The Irish (13-2, 5-2 ACC) close the 2019 regular season next Saturday (April 20) at home vs. Northwestern for Senior Night. That contest is set for 7 p.m. ET at Arlotta Stadium and the matchup will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
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