Notre Dame came out firing.

The Irish were dominant in the first half, scoring the game’s first six goals and holding visiting Vanderbilt scoreless until there was 1:59 left before halftime. After a brief hiccup at the start of the second half, No. 2 Notre Dame rolled to a 19-5 win inside Loftus Sports Center on Saturday afternoon.

Samantha Lynch and Kasey Choma each scored five goals in the season-opening win. Lynch added two assists, giving her a game-high seven points. Jessi Masinko scored four times, and Madison Ahern — the team leader in points as a freshman in 2020 — collected one goal and four assists.

Bridget Deehan made 10 saves, seven of which came in the first half.

Vanderbilt opened the second half by scoring three straight on goals by Cassidy Orban, Callie Sundin and Mikela McCauley. Ahead 7-4, Notre Dame put a stop to the comeback by scoring the next six goals and 12 of the final 13.

There is perhaps a larger story here, though not all details are known just yet. US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American midfielder Andie Aldave left the game early and was seen on the sidelines in the second half wearing street clothes.

A source said that Aldave suffered a “lower body injury” and that an update will be provided before Notre Dame’s next game against Central Michigan on Friday. Aldave is, of course, a major loss if the injury is long term.

MILESTONE DAY FOR SHANNON KAVANAGH

Shannon Kavanagh and Kassidy Bresnahan each recorded three goals and one assist as seventh-ranked Florida topped Louisville 14-7. Grace Haus had two goals and two assists, and Sarah Reznick made 11 saves.

Kavanagh broke the 200-point mark for her career in the win.

History for Shannon Kavanagh @shannonkavv breaks the 200-point mark in @GatorsLAX’s 14-7 win over @LouisvilleLax. pic.twitter.com/FnZlbOOIPj

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 13, 2021

After an impressive — but also up-and-down — 2020 campaign in which a majority of the team’s starters were underclassmen, Florida put forth a well-rounded effort to open 2021. The Gators held the advantage in shots (38-28), ground balls (22-20) and draw controls (13-10).

They’ll be tested mightily in their next contest, a top-10 showdown against No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Friday at noon.

Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Top 20

No. 2 Notre Dame 19, Vanderbilt 5
No. 8 Florida 14, Louisville 7
No. 14 USC 20, San Diego State 6

Other Scores

Elon 13, Campbell 9
Navy 10, George Mason 4
Towson 10, Mount St. Mary’s 7
James Madison at No. 1 North Carolina, PPD
Villanova at Saint Joseph’s, PPD