Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse: Irish Shut Out Robert Morris in Tourney Opener

Robert Morris ended its women’s lacrosse season Friday with an impressive 14-3 record. If only the Mid American Conference champions hadn’t played Notre Dame twice this season.

The Irish blanked the Colonials, 16-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Arlotta Stadium, after beating them 16-2 earlier this year. It was the first shutout in 2021 season and just the third in program history.

Four Irish — sophomores Kasey Choma and Madison Ahern, senior Maddie Howe and junior Madison Mote — scored multiple goals, while freshman Alison Harbaugh scored her first career goal on a late free-position attempt. Senior goaltender Bridget Deehan had seven saves, while her first-year backup Lilly Callahan added one more stop.

The Colonials were known for their stingy defense, yielding just 8.3 goals per game — sixth best in the country. Graduate Katelyn Morris entered the game with the county’s fifth best goals against average (7.96 goals per game), but stopped just four of the Irish’s first 13 shots. She finished with 10 saves on 26 shots.

“I was really proud of our effort today,” Irish head coach Christine Halfpenny told UND.com. “We’ve talked about playing together, playing in twos, and to get a shutout in the NCAA Tournament is a testament to the great effort and energy we played with today. I think a difference-maker in the NCAA Tournament is great depth, and it’s something we showcased today.”

The Irish dominated in almost all statistical categories including shots (34 to 11), draw controls (12 to 5), fouls (14 to 19), clears (Notre Dame was 20-for-21) and turnovers (17 to 21).

Andie Aldave won 5 draws and scooped 2 ground balls, while Savannah Buchanan added another four draw wins. Junior midfielder Hannah Dorney caused two turnovers and grabbed three ground balls. Besides Choma and Mote’s hat tricks and Harbaugh’s career opener, sophomore Jackie Wolak, graduate Katie Enrietto and freshman Keelin Schlageter also scored.

The Irish will play the Virginia Cavaliers at 1 p.m. Sunday at Arlotta Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. The Irish beat the Cavaliers, 12-10, on April 3.