Irish win battle of unbeatens
By JEFF BALTRUZAK
Assistant Sports Editor
Behind another big-game goal by senior midfielder Mia Sarkesian, the No. 4 Notre Dame women's soccer team used a combination of gritty determination on defense and physical upfield play to down the third-ranked Nebraska Huskers at Alumni Field Tuesday night.
"I've got to be pleased," said Irish head coach Randy Waldrum after the game. "We always show up for big games."
The Irish did more than show up. The Notre Dame back line, prone to leaks that lead to goals earlier in the season, was watertight against the relentless pressure of Husker striker Christine Latham. Freshman Candace Chapman, who played with several Nebraska players on the Canadian national team, played especially well, controlling the Nebraska forwards with gliding speed and tough play on head balls.
"I knew they'd be fast, and I had to be strong in the air," said Chapman, who also saw time at forward late in the game.
The Irish offense put together a solid outing, with Melissa Tancredi creating multiple golden scoring chances in counterattacks off Husker corner kicks. In the end though, it was practice, preparation and execution that netted the Irish the winning goal.
Midfielder Randi Scheller passed the ball into sophomore forward Amanda Guertin in front of the box. Guertin then flicked the ball into Tancredi, waiting in the corner. Tancredi then snaked the ball across the penalty area to the waiting Sarkesian, who drove it past Husker goalkeeper Erin Miller.
"It was a set play — and it was great to see it work," said Tancredi. "We always take a little time at practice to work on it."
For much of the game, it looked like Nebraska might be the one to score off a set play. The Huskers had several scoring chances off corner kicks. On two consecutive corners, Nebraska was able to get their heads on the ball, but could never direct the ball with enough force or placement to beat Irish goalie Liz Wagner.
It was appropriate that the game came done to execution. The teams were very evenly matched, and the ball went up and down the field consistently, never spending an extended period in either offensive zone.
"There's not much difference between the two teams," said Nebraska head coach John Walker. "The game had a good physical edge."
And plenty of reasons for both teams to want the win badly. The Irish have knocked the Huskers out of the NCAA tournament three times in the last four years, and the players have seen enough of each other to ferment a intense rivalry.
"I really wanted to beat them," said Tancredi. "It feels good to beat them."
Tancredi had two early opportunities in the game to net a goal for the Irish. With 36 minutes left in the half, she fired a powerful shot from 30 yards out, only to watch Miller barely save the ball by tipping it up and over the net.
Sarkesian had an even sweeter opportunity to give the Irish an insurance goal. Guertin was dropped in the Nebraska penalty area by Husker midfielder Shannon Tanaka. Sarkesian then stepped up to what should have been an automatic goal on the penalty shot.
But the senior captain kicked the ball a shade too wide, hitting the left post low and bouncing forward and off Miller.
After such a physical, but clean game, Waldrum was happy to see the Irish come out healthy. "I'm most happy — that we're not real banged up."
Not banged up, and the proud owners of a win over a top-five team.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, September 26, 2001
