Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Irish Host Hokies on Senior Day

April 14, 2017

By Megan Golden

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The No. 11 University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team celebrates Senior Day against No. 18 Virginia Tech at noon ET on Saturday at Arlotta Stadium.

The Irish (10-5, 3-2) are looking to secure a winning regular-season record in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second straight season. A win over the Hokies (11-5, 2-3) would guarantee back-to-back conference finishes above .500.

WHAT: No. 18 Virginia Tech vs. No. 11 Notre Dame
WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 2017 at noon ET
WHERE: Arlotta Stadium (Notre Dame, Ind.)
LIVE STREAM: ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN

History Vs. Virginia Tech

Notre Dame will face Irish head coach Christine Halfpenny’s alma mater Virginia Tech for the eighth time in program history. The Irish own a dominant 7-0 record all-time against the Hokies, including a 3-0 record at home.

Most recently, the Irish defeated the Hokies, 19-10, on the road on March 8, 2016. Notre Dame has outscored Virginia Tech, 52-27, in its last three matchups, dating back to 2014.

Fortunato Nears 300

Irish senior Cortney Fortunato is three points away from reaching the 300 career points milestone. Fortunato ranks second all-time in the Irish record book in goals (216) and points (297), and she is third in assists (81).

The attacker recorded her 50th goal of the season and her 40th career hat trick with eight goals against Kennesaw State earlier this month. Fortunato has recorded 67 points on 50 goals and 17 assists so far this season.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve always looked up to Cortney,” Irish freshman Savannah Buchanan said. “I think it speaks volumes about the type of person she is that she can be one of the best players in the country, yet also one of the most humble, and lead our team putting everyone before herself.

“It has truly been an honor to play beside Cortney this year, and I feel lucky to call her a teammate, and more importantly, a friend. I can only hope to be the type of player and person that a freshman can look up to one day like I look up to Cortney.”

The Class of 2017

Notre Dame will honor eight senior student-athletes during its Senior Day ceremony prior to Saturday’s game versus the Hokies.

The Class of 2017 has made three trips to the NCAA Tournament and is looking to become the third class to travel to the NCAA Tournament four times. The seniors have gone 5-6 in postseason play thus far in their career.

The senior class owns a record of 45-30 (.610) over their four seasons at Notre Dame. The Irish need at least two more wins this season to equal the Class of 2016’s overall winning percentage.

“Looking at this year’s senior class, the word that comes to mind is passion,” sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Giacolone said. “Each one of them does everything full-heartedly, and it’s an inspiration to myself as well as our team.

“The place on and off the field they have in my heart will never go unchanged. I thank them for all I’ve learned from them these past two years. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Game Coverage

The game will be broadcast live by the ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN and can be viewed here.

For a closer, behind-the-scenes look at the Irish women’s lacrosse program, follow @NDWomensLax on Twitter and ndwlax on Snapchat.

–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.