College lacrosse is back. As perhaps the most anticipated season in NCAA history approaches, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

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Did the Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team finish the shortened 2020 season with the No. 2 defense in the nation? Yes.

Did enough people give the Fighting Irish credit for their stalwart unit? Probably not.

Coach Chris Halfpenny’s team built on its 2019 successes by rising to No. 2 in the Nike / US Lacrosse Magazine Division I Women’s Top 20, in large part because of a defense that supported one of the deepest offenses in women’s lacrosse. The likes of Andie Aldave, Maddie Howe, Madison Ahern and Kasey Choma might have stolen headlines, but Bridget Deehan, Savannah Buchanan, Kathleen Roe and others were doing the dirty work.

“One thing that has been consistent throughout my four and now five years on the defense is, and Chris kind of coined this phrase, we have a “relaxed intensity,” said Roe, who will play as a graduate student in 2021. “We can kind of be annoying with how loud we are and how excited we get.”

Halfpenny was worried that her defense would be too young in 2021, but the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA allowed for players to return. Roe, Buchanan, Erin McBride, Kelly Donnelly and Diana Kelly support Deehan in what is one of the most veteran defenses in the country.

And they were chomping at the bit during fall practices. With no outside competition allowed and non-contact drills being the norm for the first several weeks, the Irish did what they could. They were, of course, thrilled to be back together and playing lacrosse after the way last season ended.

But when Halfpenny announced that they could begin contact drills again, they erupted.

“It was a 4-v-3 drill, and it was like release the kraken,” she said. “They were running to where they knew they needed to be for the drill. And they were so jacked up, but like, over-jacked up.”

Roe and Howe collided after chasing a ground ball. A collective gasp was followed immediately by a nervous silence. Then, Roe and Howe burst into laughter from the ground.

“We’re fun to watch, for sure,” Roe said.

The defense is now even better with the addition of Emma Schettig, a sophomore who unexpectedly entered the transfer portal after a successful freshman campaign at Maryland. Halfpenny had recruited Schettig while in high school, so there was some familiarity there. But even she was surprised at Schettig’s availability.

“I was on vacation, off the grid,” Halfpenny said. “I was so off the grid that I didn’t even touch my phone on the weekend when we were on our way back from the Delaware shore.

“Now it’s Sunday, I better start going through my messages. And there was an email from Emma Schettig. We’re somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania, and we probably almost got in the car accident. My husband was driving, and I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ I read it out loud, and he was like, ‘Call her!’ But I didn’t have service.”

Schettig adds another stellar takeaway defender to the Irish defense in front of Deehan, US Lacrosse Magazine’s Preseason Goalie of the Year. Schettig may take some runs in the midfield given her ability to transition the ball, but her focus, at least right now, will be on adding another weapon to the defense.

The cupboard is full in South Bend. Especially on that side of the ball.

TOP RETURNERS

Savannah Buchanan, M, Grad.

Chris Halfpenny calls her the “heart and soul” of the Irish. She ranked second on the team in draw controls (24) and third on the team in ground balls (10) and caused turnovers (eight).

Andie Aldave, M, Sr.

Notre Dame’s motor, Aldave posted 17 goals, six assists and a team-high 35 draw controls last season. She’s a potential Tewaaraton finalist.

Bridget Deehan, G, Sr.

The US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Goalie of the Year, Deehan stepped up to replace Sam Giacalone and stopped 54.7 percent of shots faced.

KEY ADDITION

Emma Schettig, D, Soph.

The Maryland transfer is expected to make an immediate impact, though on a veteran defense, she’ll have the luxury of not being leaned on too heavily. She collected 17 ground balls last year for the Terps.

ENEMY LINES

“I’d like to see how tough they are. Can they take a punch and respond? They’re a team that was off to a nice start, and they have great recruiting classes every year. The talent is there. It’s just a matter of them finding the right recipe.”

“I think Notre Dame, they’re loaded. I think Chris has done a great job recruiting. She has some of the top assistants in the country. Their offense since she’s gotten there has turned it on. I think they’re coming into their own.” 

“Notre Dame is young and feisty and talented. Clearly their draw, their midfield, their attack is a strength. I think they take some chances on their defense. Maybe defense is their question mark whereas their midfield and attack is incredible.” 

“Notre Dame’s a team to beat. Their leadership is really steady, their speed and aggression is really steady, and their fast-break game is really dangerous. So it’ll be incredibly fun to play them.” 

NUMBERS GAME

7

Graduate students back for another go-round with the Irish, headlined by Samantha Lynch, Kathleen Roe and Savannah Buchanan.