March 5, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Behind goals from 12 different players including four each from senior Jenny Granger and sophomore Shauna Pugliese, the No. 9/6 University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team rolled over Detroit 22-1 Tuesday night at Loftus Sports Center.
The Irish (4-0) set a pair of school records in the game against the Titans. The 22 goals ties the school record for most goals at home, while the 21 goal margin of victory was the most in program history, topping last year’s win over Cincinnati (22-2) on Senior Day. The one goal allowed was tied for second fewest in school history. The Irish topped Loyola, 11-1, in 2007 and shut out Villanova, 16-0, in 2010.
“I think at this point in the season what we are most excited about is that we are continuing to develop our identity for the season as work to figure out just who exactly is this 2013 team,” said head coach Christine Halfpenny. “Today was a day where we not only got to get started off in the right way, but we also were really able to rotate a lot of people in so we can find that chemistry we are looking for. Defensively we feel really good about our aggressive identity and our ability to get the ball back. Offensively we are really working to find our identity. We are very balanced and have a lot of scoring threats. We have good connections and when we work together 22 goals is possible.”
Notre Dame scored early and often against the Titans, putting up 13 goals in the first half and nine in the second half. Leading the Irish in scoring were Granger and Pugliese, who each found the back of the net four times. Junior Kristen Cousins tallied three second half goals, the first three goals of her career, while senior Jaimie Morrison and junior Grace Dooley scored twice. Notre Dame had nine assists, led by two each from freshmen Kiera McMullan, Stephanie Toy and Michele Phillips.
The Irish outscored the Titans, 35-6, and also collected 11 more ground balls (23-12) and seven more draw controls (16-9). Notre Dame also caused 19 turnovers to just three for Detroit. The Titans scored their lone goal with 8:19 left in the second half with the score sitting at 21-0.
Twelve different Irish players caused turnovers led by freshman Stephanie Peragallo and junior All-American Margaret Smith, who each had three.
In the draw circle the Irish dominated much of the day, led by junior Julia Giorgio’s four. Toy and McKenzie Brown each had three. Toy turned in a solid all around game, scoring a goal and assisting on two others, collected two ground balls and two caused turnovers in addition to the three draw controls.
Senior Ellie Hilling worked 42:15 in the cage to earn her fourth win of the 2013 campaign. Fellow senior Adele Bruggeman cleaned up the final 17:45 in her first action of the season. Both goalies stopped one shot.
Thirty Irish players saw action in the game, including several who played for the first time in their Notre Dame careers.
Notre Dame continues its home stand at 3 p.m. this Saturday when the Irish welcome in Boston University to Arlotta Stadium or Loftus depending on weather. Stay tuned to UND.com for complete information on Notre Dame women’s lacrosse and the game against the Terriers.
–ND–