After seven months of preparation and play, the Northwestern lacrosse team has reached the final straightaway of its freshman varsity season. There are only two games left on the schedule, but they will be the most challenging thus far for the Wildcats (5-8).

The Cats will meet the first of two ranked opponents, No. 10 Notre Dame (9-4), at 3 p.m. today on Lakeside Field. Although the Cats have played against several other highly acclaimed teams, today’s matchup with the Fighting Irish, who are second in the Big East behind No. 2 Georgetown, represents NU’s first face-off against a top-10 team.

“Having just played Penn State and showing what we could do against them,” sophomore Angela McMahon said of the Cats’ narrow loss to the No. 15 Lady Lions on Sunday, “taking on a team that is more recognized nationally is the next step.”

When the Cats met the Fighting Irish in the fall season, Notre Dame topped NU each time. But those were among the first collegiate games for the young NU squad.

“Our biggest problem wasn’t a lack of athleticism or skill. It was a lack of experience,” freshman Jenna Gantner said.

Until April 12, the Cats chances of defeating a team of such high regard would have been weak at best. NU’s collegiate inexperience showed as they were unable to play consistently within a game.

Against New Hampshire on April 6, NU was up 6-1 with 25 minutes left in the match, but lost 7-6.

All of this began to change six days later when the Cats faced Ohio for their first game at Lakeside Field with school in session. NU put together all of the previously missing elements, defeating the Bobcats 9-8.

“Now we play through everything and work as a team,” McMahon said.

And the Cats didn’t stop there. Wins over Duquesne and Davidson, plus the close Penn State game, suggest that NU is becoming more of a threat.

“We’ve improved the whole season,” McMahon said. “Each game we have played better and better.”