Hokie ClubThe No. 16 Virginia Tech lacrosse team fell to No. 12 Notre Dame 13-9 Saturday afternoon. With the result, Tech dropped to 11-6 on the season and 2-4 in ACC play.
The first half was placed at a slow pace, with the defenses shining. Tech took an early 4-2 lead in the first half on the back of a three-goal spurt featuring goals from Tristan McGinley, Zan Biedenharn and Kristine Loscalzo from a free position opportunity. The rest of the first period saw Notre Dame go on a three-goal run of their own, taking a 5-4 advantage into the locker room.
In the second period, the Hokies were the aggressors, scoring twice in the opening two minutes to regain the lead. With 12:13 to go, Grace Muller scored to give the Irish the lead, who never looked back. The Irish outscored the Hokies 8-5 in the second half to improve to 11-6 and 4-2 in ACC play. Cortney Fortunado scored four points on the day for the Irish taking her career tally above the 300-point mark. Muller and Samantha Lynch each contributed three goals and Samantha Giacolone made 14 saves in goal to preserve the win.
Meagh Graham led the Tech defense who played well for much of the game. She came up with a career-high 18 saves on the afternoon. Mary Claire Byrne, the ACC’s leader in caused turnovers, caused four and grabbed three ground balls. Kelly Glatthorn won five draw controls and causes two turnovers while Maddy Wollmuth caused two and had three ground balls.
Tech was led up front by Biedenharn who scored her sixth hat trick of the season, taking her season tally to 31. McGinley had two goals and Emma Harden contributed a goal and an assist. Marissa Davey stuffed the stat sheet with two goals, two assists, two ground balls, two caused turnovers and a draw control in the midfield.
Tech’s regular season concludes next Saturday with a game at the Virginia Cavaliers. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. The game will be televised on the ACC Digital Extra. A win would set the program record for wins in a season with 12. The 2017 team is currently tied with the 1999 team at 11.