Notre Dame Fighting Irish News: New seasons start with mixed results, more

A couple of new seasons started for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the end of this week and those seaons got off to a mixed result of a beginning. When it comes to the good start, one look no further than the Women's Lacrosse team who picked up where they left off from last season with a dominating win.

The 7th-ranked Fighting Irish began their campaign with a 21-6 romp over Eastern Michigan. Notre Dame jumped out to a lead just 88 seconds into play off a shot from Abby Maichin. The Irish jumped out to a 2-0 lead just 28 seconds later when Jackie Wolak fired in her first of the season.

Wolak was far from done as she scored her first hat trick of the season in the opening quarter and helped lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a comfortable season opening win.

Next up for the Fighting Irish Women's Lacrosse team is a home game on Sunday against Central Michigan.

More Notre Dame Fighting Irish news

• The Notre Dame Fighting Irish softball team didn't have as dominating a day. But they'll take a season-opening win to kick off their 2024 campaign. The Irish rallied in the seventh to defeat the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears 3-0 in the season's first game before falling 5-1 to the South Alabama Jaguars in the nightcap. 

• Hannah Hidalgo got yet another plaudit at the end of this week. She was named to the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist along with 14 other players. One thing that stands out the most? She's the only freshman.

• Hidalgo might continue getting a ton of love but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish team continues to struggle a bit down the stretch. On Thursday night, they suffered a 73-66 loss to Louisville. While the Irish are still well set for the NCAA Tournament, they're going to need to button things down if they expect to make a long run.