Irish battle Hokies for home field
By BRYAN KRONK
Assistant Sports Editor
The formula doesn't get much easier for the No. 16 Notre Dame mens soccer team heading into the postseason.
A win tonight against Virginia Tech, in the Big East regular season finale for the Irish, clinches a home game in the quarterfinal round of the Big East tournament, slated to begin next weekend.
A loss eliminates the possibility of a home game in the first round, before the tournament moves to the semifinal rounds in New Jersey on Nov. 15.
The Irish (5-3-1 in the Big East) currently stand in fourth in the conference with 16 points, one ahead of Virginia Tech, who stands at 5-4 in the Big East with one conference game remaining.
The Irish enter tonight's match with a 9-4-3 overall record, having won five of their last six games, but are coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Georgetown Saturday. The three goals allowed by the Irish were the most allowed in any game this season.
The Hokies enter tonight's game coming off a 2-0 loss at Connecticut Wednesday. Like the Irish, the Hokies had won five consecutive matches before their last loss. The Hokies stand at 10-6-1 overall.
Ken Jonmaire and Bobby O'Brien lead the Hokies with 22 points and 16 points respectively. Jonmaire's 22 points are second in the Big East, while O'Brien's 16 are good enough for a tie for seventh.
Offensively for the Irish, midfielder Chad Riley (four goals, nine assists) and forward Erich Braun (seven goals, three assists) each have 17 points on the season, good for fifth in the Big East in points.
After tonight's crucial match, the Irish return to Alumni Field Sunday for a non-conference regular season finale against hard-luck Loyola-Chicago. After winning their first three games of the season, the Ramblers have lost their last 13 games, including eight one-goal losses.
That game kicks off at 2 p.m.
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 1, 2002
