Irish split two in Lone Star state
MIKE CONNOLLY
The sixth-ranked Notre Dame women's soccer team was shut out for the first time in 55 games when they fell 1-0 to Southern Methodist University Sunday at the College Women's Classic.
The Irish finished the Classic with a 1-1 record after defeating eighth-ranked Texas A&M 1-0 Friday to open the Classic in Klein, Texas.
The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute off of a Laura Snyder goal. Snyder took a pass from Sarah Harvey, who split the Irish defense and allowed Snyder to dribble to the top of the box where she fired a shot into the top of the net.
The Mustangs managed six shots on the day and just two in the second half. The Irish got off 14 shots but only put two on net.
In the first half, SMU goalkeeper Becca Lief stopped Notre Dame's best scoring chance. Jenny Streiffer fired from 15 yards away but Lief came off the goal line to make the stop.
Before Sunday, the last time the Irish had been shut out was in the 1996 NCAA Championship against the Tarheels of North Carolina. The Tarheels won the title with a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
The Irish enjoyed more success on Friday against the Aggies. Despite the stiffling heat that hovered in the low 90s for most of the afternoon, the Irish dealt the Aggies their first loss of the season.
Texas A&M was used to the heat but playing in the high temperatures took some adjustment for Notre Dame.
"Most of our team is from the North and isn't used to the heat so it played a big factor in the game," Irish senior captain Streiffer said after the game.
In front of 1,587 fans, Streiffer gave the Irish the lead in the 22nd minute. She blasted a shot into the right of the net from just inside the box. Streiffer's goal was her team-leading fourth of the year.
Jenny Heft assisted on the goal. Heft stole ball from a Texas A&M defender and found Streiffer open at the top of the box.
"Heft gave me a great pass," Streiffer said. "So basically I couldn't miss."
The Aggies fired 12 shots but Irish All-American goaltender LeKeyshia Beene did not allow any to reach the back of the net. Texas A&M's best scoring opportunity was stopped early in the second half by Beene. An Aggie forward had slipped past the Irish defense but Beene came out and fell on the ball before the Aggie could shoot.
Irish captain Kelly Lindsey saw significant playing time for the first time since she injured her knee against North Carolina two weeks ago. Lindsey helps the team's confidence, Beene said.
"When she is in there, you feel a little more confident," she said.
Even without Lindsey, the Irish defense played well — giving up just one goal to the Duke Blue Devils and shutting out the Butler Bulldogs.
"Anybody can step in and play," Streiffer said. "It's nice to have Kelly back but we are still pretty solid."
Although Lindsey returned, the Irish roster was still incomplete. Junior midfielder Anne Makinen missed her fourth straight game while playing for the Finnish national team.
All Sports Stories for Monday, September 20, 1999
