CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Notre Dame graduate attack Madison Ahern earned Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week honors, and Virginia junior goalkeeper Mel Josephson was tabbed ACC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
 
Josephson also was honored Tuesday as the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association’s Co-National Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Ahern totaled seven goals and four assists for 11 total points in road victories over Liberty and Virginia Tech. The native of Cohasset, Massachusetts, set a season high in goals and points with five goals and seven points against the Hokies Saturday. She also recorded a pair of ground balls and one draw control in the contest with Virginia Tech. She added two goals and two assists on Thursday at Liberty. Ahern also had a ground ball and caused a turnover against the Flames.
 
Josephson made 10 saves in the Cavaliers’ 13-12 overtime win over No. 3 Boston College. She recorded five big stops in the first half and was key in Virginia building a five-goal Cavalier lead in the first half. A native of Sea Bright, New Jersey, Josephson and the UVA defense held the third-highest scoring offense in Division I to just 12 goals, which is more than five goals below their average (17.64) coming into the game. Her defensive effort helped UVA win its first game over BC since 2016 and post its first win over a top-3 opponent since the 2015 season.
 
Six ACC women’s lacrosse teams are ranked in the latest IL Women/IWLCA poll, including four in the top 10, with Syracuse (2), Notre Dame (3), Boston College and Virginia (T6), North Carolina (15) and Duke (25). The ACC has the most teams in the poll among all conferences.
 
The regular season concludes this week with five games slated for Wednesday and Thursday, including three televised matchups. Virginia plays at Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. Wednesday on ACC Network. In an ESPNU doubleheader on Thursday, Duke visits North Carolina at 3 p.m. and Syracuse plays at Boston College at 5 p.m. Also on Thursday on ACCNX, Notre Dame travels to Louisville at noon and Clemson plays at Pitt at 4 p.m.
 
The 2024 ACC Championship begins Sunday with first-round games on campus sites. The quarterfinals through finals will be contested April 24-28 at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
 
2024 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 13 – Katie DeSimone, Sr., A, Duke
Feb. 20 – Jackie Wolak, Gr., A, Notre Dame
Feb. 27 – Olivia Adamson, Jr., A, Syracuse
March 5 – Rachel Clark, Jr., A, Boston College
March 12 – Morgan Schwab, Sr., A, Virginia
March 19 – Mary Kelly Doherty, Sr., M, Notre Dame
March 26 – Maddy Baxter, Sr., M, Syracuse
April 2 – Emma LoPinto, Jr., A, Boston College
April 9 – Alyssa Long, Sr., M, North Carolina
April 16 – Madison Ahern, Gr., A, Notre Dame
 
2024 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 13 – Mel Josephson, So., GK, Virginia
Feb. 20 – Keelin Schlageter, Sr., M/D, Notre Dame
Feb. 27 – Bianca Chevarie, Gr., D, Syracuse
March 5 – Lilly Callahan, Sr., GK, Notre Dame
March 12 – Maggie Bostain, Sr., D, Virginia
March 19 – Hallie Simkins, Gr., D, Syracuse
March 26 – Shea Dolce, So., GK, Boston College
April 2 – Kelly Denes, Sr., M/Draw, Notre Dame
April 9 – Shea Dolce, So., GK, Boston College
April 16 – Mel Josephson, So., GK, Virginia