Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse Names Captain Trio Ahead of Friday’s Season Opener

The Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team has named Savannah Buchanan, Jenn Casadonte and Hannah Proctor as captains for the 2019 season, which begins Friday against Marquette in Milwaukee.

The Irish are in unfamiliar territory after finishing 10-9 last year and missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven seasons.

Three of the top 50 high school lacrosse players — including Inside Lacrosse’s No. 1, Andie Aldave — joined the Irish prior to the beginning of last season. Yet, for the first time in 14 years, the Irish lacked a single player who was previously named an All-American — and it showed.

Buchanan, a junior, was a bright spot during last year’s tumult, earning first team honors from the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association after a 27 goal, 27 assist season that also included 67 draw controls, third best in a single Notre Dame season ever. The midfielder also had the game-winning goal in the team’s April 15 defeat of Duke and the game-winning assist against Syracuse on March 24.

While Buchanan was a standout, Proctor was a model of consistency. The defensewoman was a second team All-ACC All-Star and was third among Irish defenders in ground balls scooped (28) and turnovers caused (16). Inside Lacrosse has given honorable mention to the senior on their preseason All-America list.

Casadonte, also a senior, is the the wildcard. She’s missed each of the last two seasons with injuries, but played in 20 games her freshman season.

The midfielder scored on 9 of her 12 shots that season, and assisted on another goal while scooping up 12 ground balls, winning 12 draws and causing five turnovers.

The Irish, ranked No. 20 in the IWLCA’s preseason poll, will play Marquette for the seventh time in program history. Notre Dame has won the previous six meetings, including 15-10 last year.

The game is available for streaming at 3 p.m. Eastern.

Check out Anonymous Eagle for a informative preview of the Marquette women’s team, which appears to be ascending entering Coach Meredith Black’s seventh season.