After a lost weekend which saw scores soar and morale plummet, the squad will be looking to reprise earlier season successes in their last regular season tournament of the season this weekend at the Akron Invitational. The Invite represents Notre Dame's last chance to gain momentum heading into postseason play.

Momentum is sorely needed, as the team is stagnant in its current state, having posted its worst outing of the season this past weekend. The Irish finished 13th (out of 17 teams) in Ohio State Kepler Invitational.

"We were pretty terrible," sophomore Steve Ratay said. "It was a tough course to score on, but we all wasted a lot of shots in some stupid places."

Though the Irish were not at their best in the tournament's first two days, it looked as if they might still be in position to make a late charge.

Sitting in 10th, they though they still had a shot. Those hopes were quickly dashed with a dismal final round performance that saw no player shoot lower than 77.

Senior Todd Veron was the best on a lackluster day, firing a final round 77, for a tournament total of 230. His score proved good enough for a share of 33rd place in a field of 90 players. Alex Kent, Jeff Connell, Chris Whitten and Steve all struggled.

Notre Dame's aggregate total of 925 was far behind tournament winner Northwestern — which shot 876 over the three days.

"Obviously we weren't at our best in the first two rounds, but we thought we could have played a lot better than we did on the third day," Ratay said.

More depressing than the result of the tournament was the hit taken by Notre Dame's NCAA hopes. The squad, having not qualified for the tournament in over 30 years, seemed poised for a bid heading into this past weekend. After such a disappointing performance, the Irish virtually eliminated any chance of qualifying by way of the districts. If they are to now get in, they will have to be victorious at the upcoming Big East Championships.

"Our chances are slim to none of qualifying through districts," Ratay said. "We have to win at the Big East Championships."

The Irish will be in action this weekend at the Akron Invitational, in desperate need of some momentum.

"We have to be playing well heading into the Big East," said Ratay. "You can't compete in college golf by shooting 80."

"We all need to improve. None of us played well last weekend."

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