NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Bridget Deehan made 10 saves and Andie Aldave netted a hat trick as the second-ranked Irish improved to 6-0 (2-0 ACC) with a 11-7 win over #18 Boston College on Saturday afternoon at Arlotta Stadium.
The Irish were stout defensively all afternoon, causing 14 Eagles’ turnovers in the 60 minutes of play. Savannah Buchanan caused a game-high three turnovers while Aldave and Makenna Pearsall each caused a pair.
Buchanan also earned a game-high five ground balls and five draw controls to lead all players in three different statistical categories.
Samantha Lynch paced Notre Dame’s offense with four points (G, 3A). Aldave (3G) and Jessi Masinko (2G, A) each collected three points. Madison Ahern also netted a pair of goals.
As a team, Notre Dame earned a 23-14 advantage in ground balls and went 17-for-18 on clears.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The two sides played a back-and-forth first half that ended with Aldave completing her hat trick with 1:03 remaining to give the Irish a 4-3 lead at the break. Deehan made five first-half stops, including back-to-back saves off a free-position shot just under 10 minutes into play.
Lynch gave Notre Dame a two-goal lead just over two minutes into the second half before the Eagles got back within one at the 20:23 mark.
The Irish gained control of the contest by scoring the next five goals and keeping the Eagles off the board until the 2:21 mark of the second half. During the stretch, Notre Dame got two tallies from Masinko to go with goals by Hannah Dorney and Pearsall.
In total, the Irish allowed just one Boston College goal in 40:10 of game play, from the 12:31 mark of the first half to the 2:21 mark of the second half.
The Eagles scored two quick goals down the stretch before Ahern’s second put the Irish up 11-6 in the final minute. Boston College scored once more with 36 seconds left to account for the 11-7 final.
Savannah Buchanan on the team’s defensive effort:
“Between the 30s, it’s all about effort and being gritty. You don’t have to be having an ‘on day’ to do that. I thought as the game progressed we really dug deep between the 30s and got the ball back to our offense.”
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- The Irish now own a 16-1 record in home contests dating back to March 24, 2018.
- Notre Dame has opened the season with a 6-0 record for the second straight year.
- The Irish have held their opponent under 10 goals in five of six games this season.
- Savannah Buchanan led all players in three different statistical categories (5 GB, 5 DC, 3 CT).
- Andie Aldave has scored at least three goals in four straight games.
- Samantha Lynch earned a career-high three assists in the victory.
- Bridget Deehan stopped at least 10 shots for the third time this season.
—ND—