March 29, 2017
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The accolades continue to roll in for sophomore Samantha Giacolone as the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association announced Wednesday that the Irish goalkeeper has been named National Player of the Week following her career performance in the 16-7 win over No. 4 Syracuse on Sunday.
Giacolone, a preseason All-America honorable mention selection, collected a season-high 13 saves, equaling her career high. The Manorville, New York, native limited the Orange to just three goals on 10 free position shots. She added four ground balls and one caused turnover in Notre Dame’s 16-7 win.
“I’m so proud of Sam’s effort and focus,” Irish head coach Christine Halfpenny said. “To earn both conference and national recognition after a strong 60-minute performance is wonderful for Sam and our entire team.”
The national weekly honor is the first of Giacolone’s career. As a freshman, she was selected as Inside Lacrosse Rookie of the Week on two occasions and was named to the Inside Lacrosse All-Rookie team.
On Tuesday, Giacolone was named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the second such honor of the season and third of her career.
Giacolone ranks third in the conference in saves per game (8.23) and fourth among players with at least 10 games played in goals against average (9.89).
The Irish return to action at Noon ET on Sunday, when they host No. 2 North Carolina at Arlotta Stadium. The game will be broadcast by the ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN.
For a closer, behind-the-scenes look at the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse program, follow @NDWomensLax on Twitter and ndwlax on Snapchat.
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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.