MENS SOCCER: Irish host rival Spartans at home
By JOE HETTLER
Associate Sports Editor
The Notre Dame's mens soccer team won't be on the road for another Big East game today.
Instead the Irish will be playing at home against a team they haven't faced since 1993. The Irish, who have played four of their last six games on the road, host the Spartans of Michigan State in a non-conference match at 7 p.m. at Alumni Field.
The game could be important for Notre Dame when the NCAA tournament begins. If the Irish don't get an automatic bid, they could still receive a regional invitation to the tournament by doing well against regional foes, including Michigan State.
"This game is just as big because it's a regional game," senior co-captain Justin Radcliffe said. "There are only so many spots for the NCAA tournament and a win could help us."
The Irish also have the luxury of playing at home for the first time in weeks. Not having to travel is a nice change of pace for the team, Radcliffe said.
"We really haven't been home since the beginning of the season," Radcliffe said. "So it'll be nice to be home, and playing at home is always an advantage."
After being ranked as high as No. 5 in polls this season, Notre Dame hit hard times on the road in Big East play. Despite playing very solid against St. John's and Rutgers, Notre Dame could manage only a loss and a tie during that weekend. The next setback came against Pittsburgh in overtime. But the team regrouped and has won its last two games, both 1-0 victories.
The Akron game really helped the Irish get back on the winning track, Radcliffe said.
"The Akron game started us off, and the Boston College game was even bigger," Radcliffe said. " We were playing well but not getting the results we wanted. Against Boston College we played well and we deserved that win."
Radcliffe also said the team will not change its game plan against the Spartans or any opponent the rest of the season.
"I think we're at the point where we go out and we try not to change anything for our opponents," Radcliffe said. "If we do that, we think that we'll get the results we want."
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, October 16, 2002
