...while Jessi Masinko notched 4.
The only down side to the win was that star middie Andie Aldave left the game early in the first quarter and didn't return to the game. She was later seen in sweats on the sideline (not limping or seemingly in pain). Perhaps it was precautionary.
I also noticed that transfer Emma Schettig was nowhere to be seen or nothing said about her (absence).
With Aldave out, Christime Halfpenny tried a freshman at the draw, but she was being beaten in the 2nd half, so Choma took over and draw controls started shifting back to the Irish.
- Choma finished with 5 goals on 7 shots.
- Lynch had the same shooting percentage and added two assists (both, To Choma) The grad student also had 4 ground balls to lead the Irish.
- Masinko's 4 goals came on only 5 shots.
Link to the stats are below.
Next game for the Irish is at home against Central Michigan.
The Irish won't be challenged until Va. Tech on March 6, so she'll have time to recover from something like a knee sprain or bruise.
I liked Madison Ahern's four assists and the way several freshmen stepped right into some playing time. ND beat Vandy 16-6 last year and 16-8 in 2019.
..and into Aldave's draw responsbility. Halfpenny had put frosh Kelly Denes there initially, but after Vandy scored those three girs in the 2nd half, she put Choma in there and -- along with Buchanan and Roe -- that got the draws back to the Irish's favor and away they went.
Interestingly, playing both ways engaged Choma, too, who then scored 4 of her goals in the 2nd half. She's a great finisher, but has a lot of Aldave's all-round skills.
Agree wiht you on Ahearn: Some fine assists, including a few seeing-eye balls to Choma, who also got two feeds from Sam Lynch. Lynch and Massinko take advantage of the concentration on Ahearn, Howe and Choma. Most teams don't have anough defenders talented enough to keep up with all of them.
Speaking of defense: we all know how good Roe is; but Donnelly and Kelly were nasty yesterday. In a good way.
when I watched the ACCN replay. Their next scheduled match is against the Ducks on Feb 26 in SOuth Bend, also on ACCN. Last time they beat the Ducks in a women's sport (bball) it was on the way to a National Championship. Hope it happens again, both things.
They did play Oregon in softball last season and the Ducks won.