Irish take show on road at Invitational
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
The second-ranked Notre Dame womenÕs soccer team will compete in the Portland adidas Invitational this weekend looking to continue a recent run of success.
The Irish have been surging as of late, and are coming off impressive wins against top-10 opponents the Santa Clara Broncos and the Stanford Cardinal. After beating two West Coast teams at home, Notre Dame will take its show on the road when it heads west to take on the 15th-ranked Washington Huskies and the 23rd-ranked Portland Pilots.
Both teams are undefeated and will present challenges for Notre Dame.
ÒTheyÕll both be pretty confident,Ó said senior captain Anne Makinen. ÒIÕm sure theyÕre looking forward to getting a shot at us.Ó
Makinen hopes the 5-0 Irish can avoid a letdown after last weekendÕs impressive showing.
ÒI think weÕre ready to get going again,Ó she said. ÒAt this point, thereÕs no reason to think weÕre not going to get tested.Ó
The Huskies will be looking for their first victory against the Irish, who lead the all-time series 3-0. Additionally, the Huskies must overcome a poor record against top-10 opponents (3-29-2) if they are to defeat the Irish.
The Huskies have their best shot at besting the Irish this time around. They have amassed a 6-0 record, including a monumental upset win at Santa Clara, snapping the BroncosÕ 45-match home winning streak. Washington also notched an impressive win against 17th-ranked BYU.
WashingtonÕs formidable offensive attack will be anchored by seniors Tami Bennett and Theresa Wagner, who combine to form one of the nationÕs most potent scoring tandems.
After facing the Huskies on Friday, the Irish will face the Pilots on Sunday. The Pilots are also off to an unblemished 6-0 start, including a comeback win against the BYU Cougars.
Notre Dame will continue to play the same up-tempo style that has netted them their first five wins.
ÒWe need to continue playing solid soccer,Ó said Makinen. ÒWe have to keep moving the ball around and get our chances.Ó
As always Makinen will play a central role in creating those chances, but she wonÕt be alone as several members of a highly touted freshmen class have stepped up.
Randi Scheller, Amy Warner and Amanda Guertin have all been solid if not spectacular for Notre Dame. WarnerÕs blinding speed has afforded her a number of goal scoring chances, many of which she has converted, while Guertin is already one of the teamÕs top playmakers.
ÒOur freshmen have really stepped up,Ó said Makinen. ÒThey have a great work ethic and are really amazing people.Ó
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
