June 27, 2017
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Tuesday that five Irish women’s lacrosse student-athletes have been named to the 2017 All-ACC Academic Team.
Senior captains Alex Dalton (Neuroscience & Behavior), Cortney Fortunato (Psychology) and Casey Pearsall (Management Consulting & Psychology) highlight Notre Dame’s selections. The trio is joined by senior Grace Muller (Business) and sophomore Samantha Giacolone (Psychology).
The honor marks the fourth of its kind for Dalton and Fortunato. Pearsall was named to the All-ACC Academic Team for the second time in her four-year career, while Muller and Giacolone received their first selection.
Dalton, whose season was shortened due to injury, finished with 14 points on nine goals and five assists and collected 30 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.
Fortunato, a three-time Tewaaraton Award Nominee, made 18 starts for the Irish in 2017. The IWLCA First Team All-American tallied a team-high 81 points on 59 goals and 22 assists and collected 28 ground balls as a senior.
Pearsall, who was selected to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List, also was named to the IWLCA All-America First Team and All-ACC First Team. The Wilton, Connecticut, native recorded 57 points on 28 goals and 29 assists and collected a team-high 61 draws and 38 ground balls. Pearsall owns sole possession of second place in the Irish record book with 183 career draw controls.
Muller totaled 28 goals and 24 ground balls in a senior season that included four game-winning goals.
Giacolone received preseason All-America Honorable Mention accolades from Inside Lacrosse. The sophomore goalkeeper recorded 171 saves and surpassed the 300-save plateau midway through the season. She led Notre Dame with 49 ground balls.
To be eligible for consideration for the All-ACC Academic team, a student-athlete, regardless of classification, must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her academic career.
For a closer, behind-the-scenes look at the Irish women’s lacrosse program, follow @NDWomensLax on Twitter.
–ND–
Megan Golden, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since August of 2016. In her role, she coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse and cross country/track and field programs. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Golden is a 2014 graduate of Saint Mary’s College and former Irish women’s basketball manager. Prior to arriving at Notre Dame, she worked in public relations with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.