Notre Dame beats Providence, Virgina Tech for 2-0 start in Big East Conference
By: JOE LICANDRO
Sports Writer
Despite playing without three projected starting defenders, the Notre Dame womens soccer team recorded not one, but two shutouts against Big East conference opponents over the weekend.
On Friday, the Irish opened the season with a 3-0 road victory against the Providence Friars. Two days later, the Irish returned home to Alumni Field and blanked the Virginia Tech Hokies 5-0.
After Sunday's victory, Irish coach Randy Waldrum was extremely proud of the way his young team opened the season.
"We're playing an awful lot of young players," Waldrum said. "Even through mistakes, they have been really enthusiastic. The effort and attitude has been great. The team chemistry has been great. There are a lot of things outside the soccer aspect that's been a big plus this year that maybe we lacked a little bit last year."
With returning forwards Amanda Guertin and Amy Warner to lead the way, the Irish offense kept pressure on the Providence and Virginia Tech defenses.
After a scoreless first half against the Friars, the Irish registered three goals in a span of seven minutes to take control of the game.
Warner's goal in the fifth minute of the second half ignited the Irish offense. Three minutes later, midfielder Randi Scheller registered her first goal of the season. Mary Boland then followed three minutes later with a score off an assist from Warner to put the cap on the Irish victory.
Versatility described the Irish offense Sunday as five different players scored. Guertin got the scoring started with a brilliant left-footed shot that curled over the outstretched arms of Virginia Tech goalie Natasha Dirda in the 21st minute of the game. Although the Irish created numerous scoring opportunities for themselves in the first half, they held a tentative 1-0 lead at half time.
Freshman Miranda Ford quickly erased any chance of a Tech comeback with the first collegiate goal of her career. Ford appeared to be sending a crossing pass into Boland, but the ball skipped past both Boland and the Hokies goalkeeper Dirda for the goal.
Boland promptly followed Ford's goal with her second goal of the weekend to extend the lead 3-0.
Scheller provided Notre Dame's fourth score of the game and her second of the season on a strong right-footed blast from five yards outside of the goalie box.
Just as she started the Irish scoring over the weekend with a goal against Providence, Warner finished the scoring with a goal at just over one minute remaining in the game.
"I think we've just taken a big step," Boland said. "Last year, we didn't always put the games away. This year we're getting a number of goals put in there. We're finishing a lot of opportunities."
While the Irish offense played an exciting brand of soccer all weekend, the young Irish defense was equally impressive. Sophomores Gudrun Gunnarsdottir and Kate Tulisiak coupled with freshmen Cat Sigler and Miranda Ford severely limited the offensive firepower of their two opponents.
On the few occasions where the Notre Dame defense suffered a breakdown, the Irish goalkeeping tandem of Lauren Kent and Erika Bohn stepped up to make some crucial saves. Bohn played the first 60 minutes of Friday's game with Kent replacing her in the second half. Each goalie played an equal amount of time over the weekend.
Waldrum has indicated he would like to settle with one goalkeeper, he will not name a starter until he feels more confident with one.
"I told them both before the game that [the goalkeeper] is up in the air," Waldrum said. "Whoever establishes their consistency will get the starting position. This is a big week in training for both of them."
Notre Dame will have no time to rest on the laurels of this weekend's victories. The Irish will host two of last year's Final Four teams in next weekend's Notre Dame Classic. Friday night the Irish host defending national champion Santa Clara, and Sunday the Irish return to action against Portland.
"Next weekend is huge for us because it's an opportunity for us to set a tone for the rest of the season," Boland said. "Coming out with these two Big East victories helped a lot. With a good week of practice, we will be ready for next weekend."
All Sports Stories for Monday, September 2, 2002
