Ahern, Choma Have Notre Dame on the Doorstep of Program History

When Notre Dame All-Americans Kasey Choma and Madison Ahern aren’t making connections all over the field at Arlotta, they’re sitting in the same classrooms at the Mendoza College of Business. 

Choma and Ahern, both senior business majors, have spent most of their time in South Bend together, and it’s paying dividends — maybe never more so than in their Business Problem Solving class in the Fall 2021. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, they listened as business representatives explained the issues they faced. Then, in groups, students came up with a plan to solve those problems — all while representatives from consulting firms like McKinsey, Ernst & Young and Deloitte watch on. 

Choma and Ahern both passed with flying colors, but it wasn’t without pressure. As each presented their solutions, they knew where to look for encouragement. 

“We’d always look at each other to calm us down,” Ahern said. 

“I’d look up at Madison and see her, and she would nod like, ‘You’re doing good,’” Choma said.  

The bond they’ve developed over four years at Notre Dame is more powerful than most in college lacrosse. Together, the No. 1 and 2 recruits in the Class of 2019 have helped each other both on and off the field. 

Choma, the fiery competitor with a knack for clutch goals, and Ahern, the calm, pragmatic and analytical mind who can find an open teammate in a sea of defenders, are aware of their opposite personalities. In the heat of a game (or business presentation), they’ve learned to become each other’s rock. 

“There’s definitely an amazing bond that we’ve got out on the field, just wanting each other to succeed,” Choma said. “To be able to have someone you can look to to reassure you, that just gives me so much confidence.” 

The goal was clear early — they wanted to bring Notre Dame women’s lacrosse to new heights. The Irish face Boston College on Thursday in the NCAA quarterfinals with a chance to do just that. 

“Because this is not the traditional path, Notre Dame as a lacrosse program, that just makes this run even sweeter,” Ahern said. “We’ve said all week that we’re the only team left in the tournament without a [seeding] number next to us. We just have to beat everyone on the road along the way to get where we want.” 

The bond between Ahern and Choma spans an entire decade — back to when Ahern, the Massachusetts native, met Choma, the Long Island product, at a Brine National Showcase in Summer 2012.

Choma was suiting up to play with some of the best sixth graders in the country when she caught a glimpse of Ahern playing catch with her father. 

“She was throwing behind-the-backs and Twizzlers,” Choma remembered. “I was like, ‘Wow, she’s really good.’ We ended up playing on the same team, and we had so much fun.” 

From the fields of Long Island to the campus of Notre Dame, Ahern and Choma crossed paths plenty. With both trying out for the U.S. U19 team, they were well acquainted by the time they arrived in South Bend.  

They were part of a recruiting class that was the best in program history — signaling a new era for Notre Dame.

“We wanted to take Notre Dame to the Final Four,” Ahern said. “We both wanted the more challenging path, instead of going to a more storied program. We wanted to make an impact in the culture and leadership, finally taking the step to the next level.” 

Playing time was hard to come by as freshmen in 2020, but Ahern carved out a role as a feeder at X, and Choma settled into her spot as a cutter off the 8-meter. From there, the chemistry began to grow with each passing goal.  

The Fighting Irish showed signs of immediate progress in 2020, going 7-0 with wins over Duke, Northwestern and Boston College, but COVID-19 ended what could have been a magical season. In 2021, the Irish made a run to the NCAA quarterfinals, where Boston College ended their hopes.  

Despite the abrupt end to both campaigns, there were moments that the Notre Dame duo won’t soon forget. Ahern assisted Choma’s first goal. They walked onto the field together for every game. They spent hours together honing their respective crafts

“The open communication that Madison and I have is really special,” Choma said. “On the field, we’ll say something and know automatically that’s what we’ll be doing the next time. No questions asked.” 

As Ahern and Choma developed as All-American players, they picked up on the intricacies of each other’s game. Whenever Choma lost focus in a heated game, Ahern was there to bring her back. Whenever Ahern needed someone to light a fire, Choma was ready and waiting. 

“I don't think I've ever been more comfortable throwing a ball to somebody with four people draped on her,” Ahern said. “She has this amazing ability to catch and handle a ball thrown to her and put it around a goalie.” 

Entering their senior seasons — with a final season together coming in 2024, courtesy of the pandemic — Ahern and Choma have already accomplished quite a bit. But with talents like Jackie Wolak and MK Doherty surrounding them, there was plenty of optimism that 2023 could be the year the Irish make a huge leap.  

Wolak helped feed to a cutting Choma and dodging Ahern on multiple occasions, and the Notre Dame offense found its stride early in 2023. Both Choma and Ahern broke 60 goals and combined for 170 points. 

In a 16-12 win over North Carolina that snapped the Tar Heels’ 27-game ACC winning the streak, they combined for eight goals. 

Choma provided perhaps the highlight of the season. Christine Halfpenny and her team made the flight last weekend to Gainesville, where the Irish blew out Mercer 21-6 and met seventh-seeded Florida in the second round of the NCAA tournament. 

What ensued was a back-and-forth battle, but Choma and Ahern featured prominently in each of the game’s biggest moments. Choma scored four second-half goals, including the winner with 10 seconds left. Ahern had a goal and an assist (to Choma) in the second half. 

After Choma’s clutch shot, in which she caught a pass with two defenders on her and finished a rocket into the net, the roles were, briefly, reversed. 

“We had 10 seconds on the clock, and everyone is jumping all over each other and freaking out like, ‘We did it!’” Ahern said. “Kasey is telling everyone to shut up. ‘They can score a goal in 10 seconds. We need to lock down now.’ She channeled me in that moment.” 

When Notre Dame takes the field against Boston College, expect Choma and Ahern to settle back into their own roles. It’s what got Notre Dame on the doorstep of history.