Feb. 25, 2017
By Megan Golden
DURHAM, N.C. — The No. 9 University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team will engage in its second top-10 matchup of the season versus No. 8 Duke at Noon ET on Sunday at Koskinen Stadium.
Undefeated in two road games this season, the Irish (5-1) will try to halt the Blue Devils (4-0) in Duke’s first game against a top-10 opponent in 2017.
WHAT: No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Duke
WHEN: Noon ET on February 26, 2017
WHERE: Koskinen Stadium (Durham, N.C.)
LIVESTREAM: ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN
History vs. Duke
Notre Dame owns a 4-11 record against the Blue Devils but has gone 2-2 in the past four meetings between the two schools.
The Irish and the Blue Devils last played on April 16, 2016, when Notre Dame ran away with a 10-9 overtime victory. Senior Cortney Fortunato recorded a hat trick, and sophomore Samantha Giacolone made seven saves.
Second-Half Success
Despite having the lead at halftime in five of six games, the Irish have outscored their opponents 51-17 in the second half this season.
In the past three games, Notre Dame has won 30 draw controls in the second half, compared to 21 in the first half. The team has also collected 20 second-half saves, compared to 15 in the first half.
The Irish recorded their only loss when allowing 10 or more goals to the opposition.
Elon Recap
Notre Dame defeated Elon, 16-7, at Rudd Field (Burlington, N.C.) on Thursday. The team’s four captains combined for 15 points, eight goals, seven assists and 11 ground balls.
Senior Alex Dalton scored her first goal of the season in the first half and tallied a career-high eight ground balls. Senior Casey Pearsall recorded three goals and a career-high four assists and seven points.
Live Coverage
Sunday’s game will be streamed live by the ACC Network Extra/WatchESPN. For a closer, behind-the-scenes look at the Irish women’s lacrosse program, follow @NDWomensLax on Twitter.
Notes
- Senior Cortney Fortunato’s average of 4.60 goals per game ranks first in the conference and seventh in the country.
- Notre Dame’s 13.80 caused turnovers per game are most in the ACC and fifth-most in the country.
- The Irish average 17.60 goals, which is most in the conference and fifth-most in the nation.
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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.