WLAX Falls to No. 7/7 Notre Dame in Season Opener, 18-3

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Marquette University women's lacrosse team fell to Notre Dame, 18-3, in its regular season opener on Sunday at Notre Dame.

Marquette (0-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) was led offensively by attackers Caroline Steller and Shea Garcia. Steller finished with a goal and an assist while Garcia scored two goals, including MU's first of the season.

Senior goalie Jules Horning, who's in year four as a starter at MU, made six saves in 44 minutes while junior Sophia Leva added in five saves and two ground balls in 16 minutes of action.

Notre Dame (1-0, 0-0 ACC) scored the first seven goals of the game before Garcia netted MU's first of the season with 12:13 left in the first half. Steller tacked on a goal in transition off a beautiful feed from Madison Kane for her first goal of the season.

The Irish added on three more goals before the end of the half, leading 11-2 after the first 30 minutes.

Garcia scored MU's lone goal of the second half on a feed from Caroline Steller.

Junior midfielder Emily Cooper led both teams today with six draw controls, which is a new single-game career high for her. MU also won the draw control battle, 12-10.

Senior defender Erin Dowdle led all Golden Eagles with three caused turnovers.

Notre Dame had six players score multiple goals, led by senior attacker Maddie Howe with four. Madison Ahern and Samantha Lynch also posted hat tricks for UND. Goalie Bridget Deehan saved eight shots for the Irish in 54 minutes in net.

UP NEXT:
Marquette heads back to Milwaukee for its home opener on Friday, Feb. 14 against Cincinnati. First draw is set for 1 p.m. CT at Valley Fields.

Keep up with the Marquette women's lacrosse program all season long through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteWLax) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWLax).