SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Four Irish graduates will return to campus in the fall to complete their careers with the University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse program, as announced by the team Monday. Madison Ahern, Kasey Choma, Emma Schettig and Jackie Wolak are all set to pursue masters degrees as the group of All-Americans will provide the Irish field with veteran numbers next season.
The group combined for 277 points during the 2022-23 campaign, with Wolak leading the charge, tallying 105 points on the season, and becoming the first Irish woman since 2009 to eclipse the 100-point mark in a single season. At the end of the postseason, Ahern, Choma and Wolak were all named to All-American teams by the IWLCA while the trio also picked up All-American honors from ILWomen and were All-ACC honorees.
Ahern finished third on the team in points (84) and second in goals (63). Continuously ranked atop the nation from the eight-meter mark, Ahern’s .724 success rate on the free position ranked third nationally following the NCAA Quarterfinals, meanwhile her 1.00 free position goals per game average was ninth in the nation. Averaging 4.00 points per game, Ahern boasted 13 hat tricks this season, as well as three sock tricks to improve her career total to seven games with six-plus goals. With eight points off six goals and two assists in the team’s win over Liberty in March, Ahern set a personal best.
“These past four years, the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse program has challenged me to be a better person, player, teammate and leader through the triumph and defeat of playing the sport that I love,” Ahern said. “I took a risk coming to a program where I knew that history was waiting to be written, a story that I wanted to be a part of. I can’t wait to wear the monogram across my chest for one more year as we take care of some unfinished business.”
Also on attack, the team’s leading scorer in Wolak recorded 105 points off 57 goals and 48 assists. The senior finished her fourth season with the Irish ranking among the nation’s best in numerous categories including fourth in points (105), fifth in points per game (5.00), and seventh in assists (48). Wolak recording five-plus points in 15 games played this season, while also setting a career-high six goals and eight points at Virginia at the end of March. Wolak now boasts two career sock tricks with her second coming against Mercer in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Her 12 goals over ND’s three games in the NCAA Tournament was a team high while her 16 total points ranked second behind Choma.
In the midfield, Choma led the team in goals this season, finding the back of the cage 69 times over 21 games played. Averaging 3.29 goals per game, the senior ranked seventh nationally in total goals while leading the team with 14 hat trick performances. She set a career-best eight goals in the team’s 14-1 win over Virginia Tech early in conference play before recording a personal best 10 points in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament to lead the Irish to their highest point production and goal total in program history of an NCAA tournament game. In three games started in the NCAA Tournament, Choma led the team with 17 points off 11 goals and six assists.
“I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to play the sport I love and wear the Irish uniform for one more year,” Choma said. “Love and loyalty runs deeper than anything. Love thee.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Schettig appeared in six games for the team in 2022-23 before being sidelined with injury. In six games played she set a season-best five draw controls at Northwestern, gathered 13 total ground balls, and forced seven caused turnovers. The 2020 Second Team All-American has competed in 14 career games and boasts 42 draw control wins.
All four women will pursue masters degrees at the University of Notre Dame as they finish out their collegiate career with the Irish.