Northwestern
3-1
#17 Notre Dame
1-3
Wildcats Edge Notre Dame, 17-16
2/23/2022 8:45:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – No. 6 Northwestern managed to stifle a late comeback attempt by No. 17 Notre Dame and secure their third win of the season, 17-16, in South Bend on Wednesday night. Lauren Gilbert powered the Wildcats (3-1), matching a career high with seven goals.
Brennan Dwyer and Hannah Johnson were also key pieces in Northwestern's offensive rotation, each producing a hat trick. Johnson scored all of her goals on free-position attempts. The 'Cats went 9-of-13 from the eight meter arc, with Gilbert notching four of her seven from the free position.
The Fighting Irish (1-3) started with a hot hand, putting away two quick goals and gaining the advantage over Northwestern early. Johnson was the first to respond, successfully executing a free position opportunity. The rest of the Wildcat offense followed Johnson's lead, manifesting a 5-0 run to end the first quarter. However, Notre Dame had the last word before half-time, the Northwestern lead to 9-7.
Notre Dame tried to find the equalizer early in the second half, but Gilbert kept them at bay putting away four of Northwestern's five goals in the third quarter. Dwyer opened up scoring in the final stanza and Erin Coykendall followed with her first goal of the contest on a breakaway just 36 seconds later.
The Irish staged a late comeback, bringing themselves within one with just three minutes to play. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, Johnson ended the game the way she started it, with a successful free position to put the game just out of reach. Jill Girardi, who dominated the circle with a game-high eight draws, pulled down the last control of the game with ease and sealed the victory for Northwestern.
The 'Cats will return home to face No. 3 Syracuse at Ryan Fieldhouse on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT on BTN.
