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With an incredibly strong start to the season and a record of 9-1, the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team has proven to be a competitive force in the ACC. Up until their most recent game against Syracuse, the Irish had won nine consecutive games, which is the team’s third best start to a season in program history.

The Irish opened 2019 with an impressive 19-4 win over Marquette. Their hard work continued to pay off as the team surpassed the 10-goal mark in 9 of their 10 games. The first home game against Canisius started off with the Irish scoring six goals in the first 13:27 of play and ended in a 21-4 Irish win.

Two weeks later, in Columbus, the team broke several individual and team records during their game against Ohio State. Sophomore attacker Andie Aldave topped her previous best of 11 draw controls in a single game with 16 versus the Buckeyes. This new record also helped the team set a program record of 23 draw controls — beating the previous record of 22, which was set in 2017. Sophomore midfielder Maddie Howe scored six goals and had six assists, which ties her with Jillian Byers for the most points recorded in a single game. Finally, the team beat the previous program record of 16 assists in a game, with a total of 17 assists.

The 27-0 shutout in Notre Dame’s following game against Kent State is the highest scoring and highest margin of victory game in program history. Winning the ACC opener in a home game against Louisville, the Irish proved both their defensive and offensive strengths. The Irish then traveled to Richmond where they beat VCU 15-4. Senior goalkeeper Samantha Giacolone recorded her 500th save, becoming the second player in Irish history to do so. In the closest game thus far this season, the Irish secured a victory over No. 5 Virginia when Aldave scored the game-winning goal with 1:30 remaining. This marks their second win in the 2019 ACC conference play.

The 18-6 win over Vanderbilt on March 20, marked their ninth consecutive win this season. The most recent game against No. 4 Syracuse delivered the Irish’s first defeat this season. Despite the hard-fought loss, the Irish have proved they are one of the top teams in the country.

Just seven game days after their first lost, Notre Dame responded with a season-defining 9-7 win over No. 4 UNC. Giacolone recorded a career-high 14 saves, and senior attack netted four goals.

Currently ranked No. 5, the Irish tough stretch will not let up. Notre Dame will face No. 1 Boston College on April 3 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.