SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Irish women’s lacrosse team completed the opening weekend sweep with a convincing 22-3 victory over Central Michigan Sunday afternoon at Loftus Sports Center.
The Irish held possession in their attacking end through the first quarter, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead through the first 15 minutes of play off goals from Jackie Wolak and Madison Ahern. Wolak opened the scoring just 59 seconds into play with a pass from MK Doherty before Ahern extended the lead just 60 seconds later, also off a pass from Doherty. The team’s opening scorer then went on to record two more goals in the first frame for Wolak’s second hat trick of the season.
Notre Dame dominated play in the second quarter, scoring 11 consecutive goals to take the 15-0 lead into the half. Wolak opened the scoring in the second quarter for her fourth goal of the afternoon before Arden Tierney made it 6-0 just moments later.
Kasey Choma put up the team’s seventh goal of the day, marking her 200th career goal for the Fighting Irish before notching her second of the day just 17 seconds later to make it an 8-0 contest.
After picking up assists on the first two goals Sunday, Doherty found the cage for her third of the season. Kathryn Morrissey scored less than a minute after Doherty to make it a 10-goal lead halfway through the second quarter.
The Irish scored five more times to end the quarter and head to halftime with the 15-0 lead, including two from Doherty to record her first hat trick of the year.
Notre Dame made a change in goal to start the second half as Izzy Pithie came in after Lilly Callahan posted seven saves in a first half blanking of the Chippewas.
The Irish and Chippewas traded goals early in the third quarter before Ciara Mazzone gave the Irish the edge in the quarter with her second goal in as many games to give Notre Dame the 18-2 lead heading into the fourth.
Meghan O’Hare and Kate Timarky added to the Irish scoring Sunday with both freshmen recording their first collegiate tallies as the team reached their second consecutive 20-goal game.
The Irish added two more goals to the tally before the end of the day, coming off the sticks of Keelin Schlageter and Mazzone before the Chippewas rounded out the scoring with 65 seconds left for the 22-3 final.
KEY STATS
- Kasey Choma recorded her 200th career goal with her first of the day to become just the third in program history to accomplish the feat.
- Two Irish rookies scored their first collegiate goals in the contest as Meghan O’Hare and Kate Timarky both scored in the fourth quarter.
- The team’s leading scorer, Jackie Wolak, reached double digit points with her seven-point outing Sunday. The graduate student now boasts 12 points in two games thus far with seven goals and five assists.
- Lilly Callahan recorded two saves in the opening quarter to finish the day with zero goals against in 30 minutes played. The senior was credited with her second win of the season and now boasts 17 career wins.
- Wolak’s seven points led the team Sunday while MK Doherty posted three goals and three assists for a six point performance.
- With eight draw controls on the day, Arden Tierney led the team and came just one shy of tying CMU’s total as the Irish outdrew the opponent 17-9. Kelly Denes picked up five of her own as the two combined for 13 on the day.
- Abby Lyons’ four ground balls and two caused turnovers led the team in both categories. The Irish recorded 14 caused turnovers in the contest and picked up an additional 18 ground balls.
UP NEXT
The Irish continue the homestand next Friday and Sunday with Northwestern and Butler in town. A likely top-10 showdown comes to Loftus Sports Center February 16 at 7:30 p.m. as the Irish host top-ranked Northwestern before closing out the weekend with Butler on February 18 at 1 p.m.