Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics
Clark, Biskup Lead UVA Women's Lacrosse Over No. 11 Notre Dame 16-13
Facing a ranked opponent for the second time in the last four days, the UVA women's lacrosse team used an eight-goal second quarter as well as five-goal performances from Rachel Clark and Jaime Biskup to earn a big win as No. 12 Virginia defeated No. 11 Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon at Klockner Stadium.
After losing at No. 5 JMU 10-8 in a hard-fought battle on Wednesday, the Cavaliers knew they were in for another challenge as they welcomed the 11th-ranked Fighting Irish to Charlottesville. The first quarter lived up to the billing of two highly-ranked ACC squads going head-to-head as Virginia and Notre Dame went back-and-forth early on. Jaime Biskup scored UVA's first goal of the game and Mackenzie Hoeg scored twice, but the game was tied 3-3 at the end of the opening period.
Though the final score would eventually read a three-goal victory for the Cavaliers, the second quarter was the only period in which UVA outscored Notre Dame. Fortunately for the Hoos, they simply dominated the Irish in that pivotal second period. Rachel Clark scored a hat trick in the second quarter alone, Biskup added two more goals, and three other Cavaliers found the back of the net as Virginia outscored Notre Dame 8-1 in the period to build a commanding 11-4 halftime lead. UVA's big run was fueled by a staggering 10-0 advantage in draw controls in the second quarter.
The possession battle evened out a little bit in the second half, which allowed Notre Dame to work back into the game. The Fighting Irish scored three straight goals from three different scorers to open the third quarter. Kiki Shaw answered with an unassisted goal to put Virginia ahead 12-8 heading into the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame's Jackie Wolak scored to open the final period, but UVA responded with the dagger, as Rachel Clark scored back-to-back goals and Jaime Biskup tallied a goal to make it 15-8. Notre Dame would close the game on a 5-1 run, but Virginia's lead was never in doubt as the Cavaliers went on to win 16-13.
Jackie Wolak scored three goals in the fourth quarter and had six goals and two assists in the game to lead Notre Dame, but it wasn't enough to keep up with Virginia's offensive outburst led by Rachel Clark and Jaime Biskup, who had five goals apiece. Mackenzie Hoeg and Kiki Shaw each recorded two goals, Ashlyn McGovern had a goal and two assists, and Kate Miller posted three assists.
UVA ended up having an 18-14 advantage in draw controls thanks to Aubrey Williams with six draw controls and Abby Manalang with five. The victory was Virginia's first against Notre Dame since March 17th, 2018, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Fighting Irish.
Now 8-3 overall and 4-1 in ACC play, things won't get any easier for the Cavaliers as they continue to go through the gauntlet of the ACC. Next up on the schedule is a road trip north to take on undefeated and No. 1 Syracuse next Saturday at 6pm.
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