Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse: #18 Irish Prevail (Again) Over Marquette, 15-10

Marquette entered Wednesday’s game at Arlotta Stadium having never beaten a ranked opponent in their six years of existence. The Golden Eagles left the way they came in, as Notre Dame’s 10-3 halftime lead proved insurmountable en route to a 15-10 Irish victory.

Andie Aldave, considered by Inside Lacrosse to be the nation’s top recruit, had an outstanding game, recording five goals, one assist and winning 10 faceoffs (draw controls). Fellow midfielder Molly Cobb added 3 goals, an assist and caused two turnovers.

“Yeah, she is a monster on the draw, back in double-digits and she is giving us everything she’s got,” Irish coach Christine Halfpenny told UND.com about Aldave. “Really proud of what she did today, outstanding shooting day for her as well. She has been getting great looks in all of our games but to see her put it away today was exciting to see from start to finish.”

Junior Samantha Giacolone saved 11 shots and yielded 10 goals, three days after being pulled in the first half against Elon for shaky play. Despite Giacolone’s intermittent struggles, her .505 save percentage is 15th best in the nation this year — and 0.03 percent higher than last year.

The Irish jumped on the Eagles, who have yielded just 11 goals per game, early. Aldave scored twice - the first from the free position - before junior attacker Nikki Ortega and sophomore midfielder Savannah Buchanan added goals in quick succession. With just 8:35 elapsed, the Irish were already sporting a four-goal lead.

Aldave tallied her third and fourth goals by the 17 minute mark, and midfielder Molly Cobb and attacker Abi Cullinan, both seniors, recorded hat tricks before the final whistle. Marquette was led by senior midfielder Allison Lane (3 goals, five draw controls and two caused turnovers) and junior midfielder Grace Gabriel (two goals, five draw controls, three caused turnovers), but never narrowed the early deficit closer than three late.

Notre Dame had 12 free position attempts, as Marquette fouled early and often - 38 in total for the game to the Irish’s 16.

The Irish (4-2) will face their second ACC foe of the season when they travel to Louisville this weekend. The game starts at 1 p.m. Sunday from U of L Lacrosse Stadium.

The Cardinals’ sole loss in six games is to the Denver Pioneers, who are ranked #20 in the latest poll.