Irish get ready for Orangemen
By NOAH AMSTADTER
Assistant Sports Editor
Following two consecutive losses which saw the team lose both their home and conference openers despite controlling the ball in each game, the Irish menÕs soccer team (1-2-1, 0-1-0 conference) travels to Syracuse University on Saturday searching for their first Big East win.
The game follows a week off in which the team practiced hard to regroup from the two losses.
On Sept. 9 the Irish fell 2-0 to Boston College despite being even with the Eagles both in shots taken and time of possession of the ball.
That loss followed a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to then No. 21-ranked Bradley in which Notre Dame took 25 shots while Bradley only managed seven.
ÒWe had a tough week of practice, so I think the guys are a lot more focused,Ó said senior tri-captain Steve Maio. ÒAfter the two losses I think the guys know what it takes to win games no matter who weÕre playing. WeÕve been putting forth a good effort all week and hopefully itÕll carry over into Saturday and the rest of the season.Ó
The Irish will field a slightly different lineup when the whistle blows.
Sophomore Erich Braun, last seasonÕs Big East Rookie of the Year, returns from a hamstring injury to make his first start of the season.
While the team has been able to create good shots all season, they have had trouble converting chances into points.
A healthy Braun would make the Irish offense quite potent.
ÒErich looked pretty good,Ó said Maio. ÒHeÕs gonna take a little time to get really flying again, but heÕs starting to look more like himself every practice.Ó
In addition to adding Braun to the lineup, Head Coach Chris Apple plans to shake up the lineup a bit in other places as well.
ÒI think weÕre gonna shake things up a little with the starting lineup,Ó said Apple. ÒWe changed things around today in an intersquad scrimmage, and the group looked good. ItÕs a very competitive team and the guys who are performing the best at the time are the ones who are going to get to start. We should get 16 to 18 guys in the game if we do well.Ó
Despite giving up more than one goal in both of the last two games, the defense has looked extremely strong.
Most of the goals allowed have come on breakaway goals caused by offensive breakdowns.
By eliminating these breakdowns, and adding a proven finisher to the offense, the Irish could prove very quickly to be a force to be reckoned with in the Big East.
Apple feels extremely confident heading into Syracuse.
ÒI expect us to have a great performance and pressure them defensively and hopefully win the ball in their half of the field,Ó said Apple. ÒOn attack I expect us to create multiple goal scoring chances and finish our chances. Player for player we will be the more talented team. As long as our effort is right and our concentration is right we should win.Ó
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
