The 2024 Division I women's college lacrosse season kicks off February 9. As is our annual tradition, we’re featuring every team ranked in the USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20 in the lead up to opening day. Check back to USALaxMagazine.com each weekday this month for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.
NO. 7 NOTRE DAME
2023 Record: 15-6 (6-3, ACC)
Final Ranking (2023): No. 7
Head Coach: Christine Halfpenny
Assistants: Lauren Benner, Adam Sear
The upside was high when Kasey Choma and Madison Ahern arrived on campus as two of the top rookies in 2020. The then-freshmen, surrounded by a dozen fifth-years and seniors, shined early and often, beating the likes of Northwestern and Boston College as part of a 7-0 start.
We know what happened before the Irish’s game against North Carolina. COVID upended the season. There have been highs and lows for Ahern, Choma and the Irish since — the lows of a 2021 season that saw the Irish have to take three weeks off due to COVID. The highs of making the quarterfinals in two of the last three seasons, a first for the program in the modern era.
One of those years was 2023, when Notre Dame was the lone unseeded team to make it out of the NCAA tournament’s first weekend, beating Florida in a finish that can only be described as a rollercoaster. And it was Ahern and Choma serving as difference-makers. Ahern caused a turnover and took a charge, and Choma scored a goal in the waning seconds to win it.
A 20-6 loss to Boston College left a sour taste. Choma and Ahern are two of six graduate students on the Irish’s roster, including returners Jackie Wolak and Emma Schettig and high-profile transfers Arden Tierney and Olivia Dooley. The team also has 11 seniors. Not surprisingly, there’s an edge to this year that may take Notre Dame over the ACC hump.
“There’s of motivation to take it to that next step,” head coach Christine Halfpenny said. “We are all very focused on Memorial Day Weekend as the vision board of what we see and what we are chasing.”
TOP RETURNERS
Jackie Wolak, A, Gr. (57G, 48A)
Kasey Choma, M, Gr. (69G, 19A)
Madison Ahern, A, Gr. (63G, 21A)
Choma and Ahern came in the toast of the class, but they picked up Jackie Wolak along the way — and she’s no third wheel. Wolak led the Irish in points and was fifth nationally, averaging five points per game, in 2023. Halfpenny said Wolak practiced with an “I-didn’t-come-back-to-wait” attitude all fall.
“She’s a natural feeder, but the last two years have given her confidence in power and physicality as a dodger,” Halfpenny said.
Combine that with Ahern’s power and range and Choma’s added confidence after sending the Irish to the quarterfinals, and you have the foundation of an offense already giving opponents nightmares.
KEY ADDITIONS
Arden Tierney, A, Gr. (50G, 44A, 189DC at Richmond)
Olivia Dooley, G, Gr. (44CT, 23GB at USC)
Meghan O’Hare, M, Fr. (Invited to USA Lacrosse NTDP Combine in 2022)
Notre Dame is typically inactive in the portal, but the Irish went for it this year, bringing in Richmond draw control leader Arden Tierney and Pac-12 Defender of the Year Olivia Dooley of USC. It was something of a team decision — many players played with or against Tierney and Dooley on the Long Island club and high school lacrosse circuits.
The addition of Tierney frees up Kelly Denes (135 DC) and Mary Kelly Doherty (111 DC) to be more involved offensively and defensively as midfielders rather than boxing them in as draw specialists. When on defense, they’ll be joined by Dooley. The Irish leaned on a zone as 2023 progressed, and Dooley is no stranger to that kind of system, having come from a USC program known for its stout zone defense.
On a roster of 17 seniors and graduate students, Meghan O’Hare stood her own, particularly in the final two fall scrimmages against Navy and Northwestern.
“She was all over the field and hanging with fifth years, getting jobs done everywhere,” Halfpenny said. “We see her being able to impact between the 30s, on the draw — she adds depth, consistency and a high IQ. She can play defense and turn it into offense.”
NOTABLE DEPARTURES
Graduations: Hannah Dorney, M; Jane McAvoy, A
X-FACTOR
Mary Kelly Doherty, M, Jr. (28G, 10A, 111DC, 20CT)
Halfpenny calls Doherty one of the big misses on last season’s All-American list. A true two-way midfielder — something of a dying breed in women’s lacrosse — her presence can be felt all over the field. With Tierney in tow, Doherty stands to emerge as a larger threat on both ends of the field.
THE NARRATIVE
The fact that we have not even mentioned the return of starting goalie Lilly Callahan (9.17GAA, .450SV%) speaks to how talented Notre Dame’s roster is on paper. It’s obscene, and not in a bad way. An ACC shakeup would be fun.
Of course, Boston College had a portal frenzy of its own, adding Rachel Clark (Virginia) and Emma LaPinto (Florida). North Carolina is a year older. Syracuse lost Tewaaraton Award finalist Meaghan Tyrrell, but most coaches have their eyes on Emma Ward to have a massive season. All those teams have dominated the ACC.
The Irish know they’re lurking, but they’re focusing on their own locker room.
“We’ve been working on blocking out distraction, what the media is saying, even our own expectations,” Halfpenny said. “We have a great group, a great staff, and this team is just ready for it. Our goal is to be playing completely unleashed. Really, this is it — 17 players are going to graduate this year.”
Come on, give us something.
“We’re going for it,” Halfpenny said.
ENEMY LINES
“They return a lot of great fifth years for their program who made exciting progress last season. I thought their quarterfinal game was a disappointing loss for them. As always, they’ll come out with lots of fire and bravado to implement their will on others.”
Notre Dame’s schedule is a step up this year, especially in the non-conference slate. LaxElo ratings project a record of 11.2 wins out of 16 scheduled games. The non-conference Strength-of-Schedule projects at 39th toughest, a jump from last year’s 47th. But the overall strength-of-schedule projects at 12th, which is the same as last year. This reflects a drop in the average LaxElo rating of Notre Dame’s fellow ACC compatriots.
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