Oct. 17, 2016
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — US Lacrosse on Thursday announced Cortney Fortunato has been named to the training team for the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse Women’s World Cup. Fortunato, a two-time IWLCA First-Team All-American, is one of 25 players selected to represent the United States.
The training team was selected from a pool of 36 players and will compete in Florida next January at the Team USA Spring Premiere. Fortunato, who on Wednesday was named one of Notre Dame’s four captains, joins 11 other current or former Atlantic Coast Conference student-athletes on the roster.
Fortunato, a two-time Tewaaraton Award Nominee, surpassed her own record of 56 goals (2015) in a single season with 64 goals last season, the fourth-most in a single season in Irish history. She led the team in points, goals and assists and currently ranks second all-time in career goals (166).
“I am so excited for Cortney to be be named to the 25-member USA training team. I know this has always been a goal for Cort and to see her take another step towards realizing her dream is just awesome. Athletically, she has speed, a quick first step and awesome agility,” Halfpenny said. “She’s a tireless worker on her game and to see her earn the opportunity to compete at this level is just awesome.”
Fortunato, a native of Northport, New York (Northport High School), guided the University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team to its first NCAA Quarterfinals since 2009. The Irish finished 14-7 and 4-3 in the ACC in 2016.
Halfpenny said Fortunato’s vision is one of the team’s biggest assets on the field.
“She sees plays develop before the cuts are happening,” Halfpenny said. “â⒬‹She reads movement patterns well and can set scoring plays up with her feeding ability. â⒬‹
Her poise and control is awesome. It’s clear that she has put hours and hours into her game. Her skill set is remarkable.”
Notre Dame head coach Christine Halfpenny said Fortunato already has taken on increased responsibility as a captain.
“Cortney is a pure competitor and a natural leader,” Halfpenny said. “She loves to compete against the best. She loves to be tested. She’s a problem solver and uses all of her athletic and lacrosse skills to find answers on the field. It’s been a lot of fun to coach her and see the impact she has made on Notre Dame lacrosse and her teammates. Notre Dame nation is cheering for her as she takes her talents to compete for one of 18 spots to represent USA this summer at the World Cup.”
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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.