No. 10 Notre Dame gives up last minute goal, loses 1-0 to No. 2 St. John's
By: JOE HETTLER
Associate Sports Editor
The 10th-ranked Notre Dame's mens soccer team had never beaten No. 2 St. John's on the road and things didn't change Thursday night.
The Irish allowed the game-winning goal to the Red Storm's Jean Camere with only 1 minute, 48 seconds remaining as they lost a heartbreaker, 1-0.
"I thought we played very, very well in the second half," coach Bobby Clark said. "We had a tremendous second half. It was one of those games that when you look at the process, this was a successful outtake. But you look at the result and, obviously, we're very disappointed."
The Irish had several scoring opportunities late in the game, with the first coming from sophomore Luke Boughen, who just missed from the top of the box with 8:45 remaining in the contest. Less than a minute later Erich Braun missed a shot from 12 yards out as the game stayed scoreless.
Camere's goal came from 18 yards away and deflected off an Irish defender before crossing the goal. Notre Dame goalkeeper Chris Sawyer saved two other shots on goal throughout the match while Red Storm goalie Bill Gaudette saved three shots.
St. John's out shot Notre Dame 11-8 for the game.
"The guys know they played well. It wasn't an easy place to play," Clark said. "There was very, very heavy rain, it was raining all day. … I thought the boys did Notre Dame proud today even though they didn't win."
Clark felt confident about Notre Dame's chances against St. John's heading into the contest.
"I really felt we were coming into St. John's and looking for a victory," said Clark. "We were looking to play them evenly and I think we did that. I think St. John's was very relieved to get out of today's game with a victory.
"But maybe that's why they are the No. 2-ranked team in the country because they are able to, somehow, get a victory out of a game like that."
Notre Dame's only other loss this season came as a result of a late goal by their opponent. Bradley scored with less than 10 minutes remaining to beat Notre Dame 3-2 a week ago. Clark feels the Irish must start winning close games and cannot allow the late goal.
"We've got to learn how to win these games because that's a couple games now that we've lost in the last five minutes of the game," said Clark. "[Allowing late goals is] maybe something we can look at when we look at the video tomorrow and take it from there."
Notre Dame's schedule doesn't get any easier as the Irish face Rutgers on the road Sunday.
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 27, 2002
