#4 Irish Surge Past Liberty, 19-5

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Samantha Lynch and Maddie Howe each scored four goals and Savannah Buchanan caused four turnovers as #4 Notre Dame dropped Liberty, 19-5, on Friday evening at Arlotta Stadium.

Howe also collected an assist to earn a game-high five points. Kasey Choma, Madison Ahern and Hannah Dorney each netted a pair of goals while Jessi Masinko dished out a trio of assists.

To go with her four caused turnovers, Buchanan collected three points (G, 2A), a team-high three ground balls and a pair of draw controls.

Madison Mote, Abby Maichin, Jackie Wolak and Cailin Field rounded out the scoring for Notre Dame. 

Andie Aldave and Emma Schettig led the Irish with six draw controls each as Notre Dame earned an 18-8 advantage in draw controls in the game. 

Howe, Kathleen Roe and Diana Kelly each added a pair of caused turnovers.

Bridget Deehan stopped five shots to earn the win in goal for Notre Dame.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After the teams opened play in a 3-3 deadlock, the Irish rattled off six consecutive markers and kept the Flames off the board for exactly 22 minutes to take a 9-4 lead into the break.

All four of Howe’s markers came in the first half, and the Irish also got goals from Lynch (2), Dorney (2) and Choma in the frame.

Notre Dame controlled the final 30 minutes, outscoring Liberty 10-1 in the stanza while earning 10 of 12 draw controls in the half. 

Lynch added two more goals in the second half while both of Ahern’s markers, including a spectacular behind-the-back goal with 12:47 to play, came in the half. 

Maichin netted her first collegiate goal with 6:16 left for Notre Dame, who also got second-half goals from Choma, Buchanan, Wolak and Field.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

  • Notre Dame is now 19-1 at home since March 24, 2018.
  • The Irish kept Liberty off the board for 22 straight minutes in the first half and the opening 19:42 of the second half.
  • Abby Maichin netted her first collegiate goal in Friday’s win.
  • 10 different players found the back of the net in the victory.
  • Savannah Buchanan matched her season-high with four caused turnovers and has caused multiple turnovers in four of five games this season.

UP NEXT

  • #4 Notre Dame (3-2, 0-2 ACC) returns to ACC play this Sunday (March 21) at Louisville.
  • Opening draw at UofL Lacrosse Stadium is set for noon ET and the contest will be streamed live via ACC Network Extra. 

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