Without further ado, we bring you the results of the last week's Irish match-ups.
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The no. 2 men's soccer team (8-1-5, 5-1-3 ACC) earned their first season loss at home this past Saturday to no. 19 Virginia, 2-0. The Irish trailed in shots (8-7) and corner kicks (4-2) to a team in the midst of a 10-game unbeaten streak. The Irish had not allowed 2 goals in a single match until facing Virginia.
This Saturday evening, the Irish take on no. 14 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. They then face no. 17 Michigan State in East Lansing next Tuesday (3:00 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network).
The no. 20/12 women's team (11-5-1, 7-4-1 ACC) overcame a 4-game losing streak with 2 weekend victories. They first defeated Boston College, 3-1, last Thursday night, behind goals from Morgan Andrews, Mandy Laddish, and Karin Simonian. Notre Dame went ahead, 3-0, after their 2 2nd-half goals, before the Eagles netted their first and only with under 4 minutes to play. The home team led in shots (16-10), shots on goal (8-3), and corners (3-2). The match marked the last at home in the regular season for the Irish.
Sunday, Notre Dame earned a 2-0 shutout win over Clemson on the road, with an early goal from Kaleigh Olmsted and a 2nd-half score from Crystal Thomas. The win assured the Irish a spot in the ACC Championship quarterfinals. Once again, the Irish led in shots (13-12), shots on goal (7-4), and corners (5-3).
Notre Dame next faces Florida State in Tallahassee on Thursday evening (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3), then heads to the ACC quarterfinals on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at an as-yet-undetermined location.
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No. 2 Irish hockey (5-1-0) finally suffered its first loss of the season this past weekend, splitting their road series with Minnesota Duluth. Saturday, the Irish won out, 3-2, with 3 goals in the 2nd period from Jeff Costello, Mario Lucia, and Peter Schneider. The Irish led in shots on goal (28-21) and went 1-6 on power plays. Significantly, as UND.com's coverage reports,
Senior goaltender Steven Summerhays got the win in goal but played just 45:30 as he received a major penalty for grabbing the face mask and a game misconduct with more than 14 minutes left in the game. Freshman Chad Katunar got his baptism under fire as he came into the game, having to hold off the Bulldogs while the Irish killed the five-minute major. He surrendered just one goal on a five-on-three during that time and stopped five-of-six shots in his first collegiate action.
The controversial penalty and game misconduct came after Summerhays was knocked into the goal by a Bulldog right wing:
In the third, Minnesota Duluth tried to get its offense going but the defense and Summerhays were able to hold them off. At 5:30, Krause, a 6-3, 210-pound right wing crashed into Summerhays in the crease, knocking him into the goal. When the play was finally whistled down, the players on the ice looked for a penalty call on Krause.
When none was called, Summerhays took matters into his own hands and went after the big winger, grabbing Krause's facemask that resulted in the major penalty and the game misconduct.
Sunday, the Irish started the game with the freshman in at goalie and fell to the Bulldogs, 4-1. Notre Dame, which hadn't yet trailed at any point this season, allowed 3 goals within a 3:25 minute span midway through the game's 1st stanza. In the 1st period, Minnesota Duluth led the Irish with 14 shots to their 3. Summerhays stepped in for Katunar to begin the 2nd period, but the Irish were unable to recover. Notre Dame led in shots, 13-7, in the 2nd, and Summerhays lost a 2-on-1 to give the Bulldogs their final goal. The Irish goal came on a 3rd-period power play from Austin Wuthrich. At the end of the night, Minnesota Duluth claimed a 30-20 advantage in shots on goal. The 5-game win streak to start the season was Notre Dame's best since 1998-99.
The Irish take on Vermont on the road this Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET (WatchND), then again on Saturday afternoon (4:30 p.m. ET, WatchND).
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Irish Volleyball (8-13, 2-7) suffered two weekend losses on the road, first to Virginia Tech, 3-1, in very tight sets (25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21) behind a poor offensive showing. On Sunday, it was Virginia that claimed the win over Notre Dame, 3-1. The Irish dropped 3 straight after winning the opening set, and a 4th-set rally wasn't enough to stop the Cavaliers.
Friday afternoon, the Irish face Maryland at home (4:00 p.m. ET, WatchND). They then confront Pittsburgh at home on Sunday afternoon (2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3).
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The men's tennis team competed in 2 weekend tournaments: the UT Invitational in Austin and the USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational in Orlando. Three players made it to the quarterfinals of their draws in Austin and a 4th played into the semifinals in Orlando, where he fell to the no. 1 seed. The Irish went 11-7 overall in singles matches and 3-2 in doubles at the UT Invitational.
The Irish finish the fall season at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships November 7th-10th.
The women's team was idle this past week, but returns to competition in November at the ITA National Individual Indoor Championships in New York and in Florida at the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic.
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The men's golf team earned an impressive runner-up finish at the Georgetown Intercollegiate tournament this past weekend, with Niall Platt tying for fourth overall. The Notre Dame team carded its best team score of the season (280, -4) on day 3 and 4 of 6 Irish players finished in the top 25.
The Irish are currently in the middle of play at the Invitational at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, SC. They finish Tuesday and we'll bring you results next week.
The women's golf team tied for 11th place overall at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, NC this past weekend. Ashley Armstrong tied for 16th place. The tournament closes the fall season for the Irish, who next compete in mid-February at the Florida State Match-Up.
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Irish men's swimming claimed the win in a dual meet with the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs this past Friday. The Irish had the opportunity to train at altitude before the meet and earned 8 events to top Air Force, 134-128.
The women's team was idle this past week. Both teams compete in a dual meet vs. Purdue this weekend in West Lafayette.
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After finishing up the regular season two weeks ago, cross country heads to the ACC Championships in North Carolina this weekend.
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Men's basketball commenced Monday night with an exhibition match against Indianapolis at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame beat the visitors, 95-69, in the showing.
Friday night, the Irish face Tusculum (9:00 p.m. ET). You may want to attend if you're in town for the Navy game on Saturday.
Women's basketball begins play with a home exhibition match vs. California University of Pennsylvania (no, it's a real place) Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. ET (WatchND).
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We'll bring you updates again next week on the Notre Dame Olympic sports and help you to root for the Irish beyond those long-awaited and well-loved fall Saturdays. For now, go Irish. Beat Navy and everybody else.