Revenge, respect on the line in rubber match
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
It's a game the Santa Clara Broncos still shudder to think about. It's a game whose mere mention still has the Notre Dame Fighting Irish numb with happiness. But it's a game that both team teams will never forget.
Tonight marks the rematch, round two, if you will, of a brilliant clash that radically altered two teams' fates. When the Irish stunned the previously undefeated Broncos 1-0 in the NCAA semifinals the soccer world was turned upside down. Santa Clara enters play tonight trying only to restore what it believes is the rightful order. This time they want to be on top.
Santa Clara was 23-0, and playing near its home turf, when a Notre Dame team clad in green, denied them a chance to play for the title they felt they had almost already won. The upset propelled Notre Dame onto the big stage, while Santa Clara was relegated to the sidelines bemoaning a lost opportunity to claim a place among history's greatest teams.
The Prelude
After being whipped by the Broncos earlier in the season 4-2, the Irish arrived in San Jose, Calif. already plenty motivated. Disheartened by their play in that first meeting, Notre Dame felt it had something to prove.
"They beat us bad," said Irish head coach Randy Waldrum. "They scored a bunch early and we were playing catch up from there."
After big wins over national powers Nebraska and Stanford in games leading up to the semifinals, the team had been finally rounding into form. Confidence was high.
"Things started to click for us then," said Waldrum. "We felt we had enough talent to compete with them."
Though no additional motivation was needed, as a birth in the finals was on the line, Santa Clara provided some by sticking its foot in its collective mouth.
During an NCAA welcome banquet for the final four teams, a Santa Clara player said that they could beat Notre Dame playing at only 90 percent. The Broncos anticipated walking all over the Irish and afforded them no respect.
"They were talking a lot of trash," said then-freshman Ali Lovelace, who would command respect just hours later. "We just tried to stay focused and tried to give them what they deserved."
With emotions and tensions at an all-time high, Waldrum further stoked the fires by deciding that his squad would don the green jerseys, traditionally worn by Notre Dame when cast in the role of underdog, against Santa Clara. After initially thinking the jerseys could not be ordered in time for the game, Waldrum ended up securing the enchanted garments just in time. The green jerseys were laid out when the players entered the lockeroom hours prior to kickoff.
"It was a surprise," said Lovelace. "I think that added some extramotivation."
Little did the Irish know that their wearing green would soon leave the Broncos in various stages of blue.
The Game
Notre Dame had no chance. How could they? They were playing undefeated No.1-ranked Santa Clara in the Broncos' backyard, and 14,000 partisan fans had packed the place despite the 35-degree game time wind chill factor.
Before the largest crowd ever to witness a collegiate women's soccer game, the Irish battled the Broncos in what would be a game for the ages.
Santa Clara played the part of Goliath to Notre Dame's David, looking every bit like the No. 1 juggernaut that they were. The Broncos outshot the Irish 17-3 and possessed the ball for what seemed like an eternity. The Irish were forced to play defensively to avoid getting embarrassed.
Senior goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene turned in a career performance in a career game. Playing as if the ghosts of Notre Dame's athletic past were beside her in the goal, Beene played with such confidence that her teammates could not help but feed off her. Beene erected a brick wall turning back countless glorious chances, while keeping her teammates close. She all but shot Goliath between the eyes were her slingshot.
"They dominated almost the whole game," Lovelace said. "We just tried to give ourselves a chance."
And then lightning struck.
Bronco goalie Crystal Gordon saw her goal kick returned right back at her. Nancy Makenic punched the ball in the direction of Lovelace, whose right foot sent the ball into the net and the Irish into a euphoric state.
"I don't remember any defenders being around," said Lovelace. "I just hit it with my right foot and hoped it went in."
So focused was Lovelace that she didn't even notice the three Santa Clara defenders she left on her wake towards the goal and a place in Notre Dame history.
Films show Lovelace gracefully eluding three Bronco defenders but she can't even remember being there.
Trailing for the first time all season long, Santa Clara mounted one last chance. But Beene, Lovelace and the rest of women in green were equal to the task.
When the final gun sounded, it was green on green as the Irish stormed the pitch exulting in their finest hour. Goliath trudged off to the sidelines, stunned.
The Aftermath
Lovelace swears she heard cheering when her goal crossed the line, though only 200 fans of Irish allegiance were present.
"It felt like the place erupted," Lovelace said. "It was weird since we had few fans."
Perhaps Lovelace was hearing her own screams of joy, or maybe those of her teammates and coach, because the rest of the stadium was errily silent. This wasn't the way it was supposed to happen.
After the game, but for the tiny pocket of green, the place more resembled a morgue than an athletic field.
"It was kind if fun, just to see them shocked," said Lovelace. "It was awesome."
"It was an experience for me," said Waldrum. "It doesn't get any better than that."
With Santa Clara back in town, roles have been reversed. Still seemingly not recovered from the upsetting loss to the Irish, Santa Clara is ranked third and saw its 45-match regular season home winning streak end earlier this week. Santa Clara is now David to Notre Dame's second-ranked Goliath.
But Lovelace is determined to avoid an upset of Biblical proportions and does not plan on history repeating itself. This time, Lovelace feels Goliath's arsenal will be too much for David's slingshot.
"We want to prove it wasn't a fluke,' said Lovelace.
Indeed if all David can sling this time is insults before the game, Goliath will prevail before a crowd that this time might just be cheering in the end.
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 8, 2000
