Notre Dame women’s lacrosse advances in NCAA Tournament behind Jackie Wolak’s record-setting day

You best pay attention when the ball goes behind the opponent’s net in a Notre Dame women’s lacrosse game. That’s Jackie Wolak’s office.

Wolak, a graduate student attacker and a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award as one of the five best players in women’s college lacrosse, is clinical when she operates in that area. She takes her time, knowing the defense has to respect her ability to score. And then, when she sees an opening, she strikes.

“I just test the defense a lot,” Wolak said. “I think that’s the best viewpoint on the field.”

With flick of the wrist from No. 23, the ball darts toward the goalmouth and into the pocket of an Irish teammate’s stick. Wolak broke the program record for assists in a game with 9 during Friday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Coastal Carolina at Arlotta Stadium in South Bend.

Wolak finished with 11 points, including those 9 assists. She led No. 7 Notre Dame to a 24-6 win over Coastal Carolina, as the Irish advanced in the national playoffs.

“She’ll be humble,” Irish head coach Christine Halfpenny said. “The first thing she’ll say is, ‘It’s my teammates. They make me look good.’ I think her IQ for the game is so high, and then that in addition to her athletic ability and how much work she’s put into her game.”

Halfpenny was correct.

“I can’t do that without my teammates,” Wolak said. “They meet me halfway on those. Without them scoring, I can’t have those assists.”

Notre Dame also broke the program record for goals in a tournament game, which was previously 21. Additionally, Friday’s victory was the 300th win in program history.

Although it was the expected outcome, the Irish — a team hungry to advance past the Elite Eight after falling in that round last season — were thrilled with the way they started postseason play.

“They were just ready, disciplined and excited to play our brand of lacrosse,” Halfpenny said. “I’m really proud of the way they set the table for the entire tournament on this game, especially the first quarter here today.”

The Irish opened the scoring 27 seconds into the game, with a goal from graduate student midfielder Kasey Choma on one of those behind-the-net assists from Wolak. Notre Dame put the ball in the back of the net more times in the first quarter, jumping out to a 9-0 lead.

Both Choma and attacker/draw specialist Arden Tierney posted first-quarter hat tricks, and the former made history with hers. Choma’s second goal — assisted by Wolak — gave her 300 career points, becoming the fifth player in program history to reach that milestone.

Choma joined Wolak and graduate student attacker Madison Ahern as 300-point scorers on the current Notre Dame team. Wolak and Ahern were the first pair of Fighting Irish teammates to accomplish the feat.

“Everyone wants it so bad,” Choma said. “Everyone believes in each other. Jackie, the belief that she has in me to just throw it on the inside for me to handle is something that’s really cool. I think that’s contagious amongst other people as well.”

Coastal Carolina held its own in the second quarter, only trailing Notre Dame 4-3 in the frame. But the Irish pulled away in the second half, when Wolak assisted on four-straight Irish goals to break the single-game record.

Wolak entered Friday’s game with the team lead in goals, but she only scored twice against the Chanticleers. So often, the right play was to set up her teammates, and Wolak consistently made the right play.

“They were just utilizing a lot,” Wolak said. “They were setting picks. I know they have their backdoor cuts and whatever they are able to do to get themselves open. When I see an open stick, I’m just looking for that.”

Before being taken out as the score got out of hand, Notre Dame’s stars took the opportunity to pad their stats in the tournament win. Choma and Tierney scored 5 goals each, while Ahern had 4. She passed Wolak for the team lead in goals this season, now with 57.

Halfpenny also took advantage of the lopsided score and emptied her bench, giving some younger players a chance in the spotlight. Freshman midfielder Kathryn Morrissey posted her first hat trick in her college career, scoring 3 goals in the second half.

The Irish await the winner of Michigan vs. Mercer in the second round of the tournament at noon ET on Sunday. The Wolverines took an early lead, going up 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

For Wolak, Choma and 15 more seniors and graduate students, Sunday will be their final home game at Notre Dame.

“This is a really special opportunity,” Halfpenny said. “To come out here and be able to get another victory at Arlotta and advance, it’s something that we’re really excited about.”

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