The Week in Notre Dame Athletics: 2 Big Tournament Wins

Without further ado, we bring you the results of the last week's Irish match-ups.

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No. 11 Irish hockey (21-12-2, 10-9-2) claimed a 3-2 victory over Boston University in the opening round of the Hockey East tournament on Saturday. The team continues to ride a 6-game win streak (7 unbeaten). In front of an impressive crowd, Notre Dame went up 2-0 halfway through the match and held on for the win despite BU's comeback attempt.

The first goal of the night came from Bryan Rust in the opening period--a textbook example of "How To Deke Some Poor Goalie Out Of His Jock Strap":

Jeff Costello scored midway through the 2^nd. BU responded with a goal off a rebound to make it 2-1, and Notre Dame's Peter Schneider answered early in the 3^rd to put the Irish ahead by 2 once again. A 5-on-3 power play gave the Terriers the opportunity they needed to net a 2^nd goal; the Irish killed off the 5-on-3 power play, but surrendered the score as they went to 5-on-4.

Though they pulled the goalie with nearly a minute and a half to play, BU was unable to beat Steven Summerhays again and the Irish claimed the win. Notre Dame led in shots on goal, 29-27, but went 0-for-3 on power plays; BU went 1-for-4. SB Nation's college hockey site has a recap of the game here.

The Irish play no. 2 Boston College in a 3-game series this weekend in Chestnut Hill (7:00 p.m. ET on Friday, 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday broadcast on NESN, and T.B.A. on Sunday) in the quarterfinals of the Hockey East tournament.

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No. 6 men's lacrosse (2-2) fell this weekend to no. 12 Denver, 10-7, on their west-coast road trip. Paul Rigney recaps the disappointing loss for you here.

This Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET, the Irish face Virginia at home (ESPNU).

After falling to no. 1 UNC last week, no. 13/10 women's lacrosse (4-1) won both their week's matches. Notre Dame claimed the upset victory over no. 4 Northwestern, 9-8, then beat Louisville, 12-9.

This Tuesday, the Irish play Richmond on the road. They travel to College Park to face Maryland at noon on Saturday.

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Baseball (5-9) was swept in a 3-game series with no. 6 North Carolina State over the weekend. Saturday, the Irish came close with 5-3 and 1-0 losses, before falling, 7-0, in the series finale on Sunday. The team struggled at the plate, but does lead the nation right now in double plays with 22.

The Irish stay in North Carolina to play Appalachian State on Tuesday (6:00 p.m. ET, WatchND). They go against Duke on Friday (6:00 p.m. ET, WatchND, ESPN3), Saturday (1:00 p.m. ET, WatchND, ESPN3), and Sunday (12:00 p.m. ET, WatchND).

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No. 22/21 Irish softball (17-4, 2-1) went 2-1 against Georgia Tech over the weekend to begin conference play. Saturday, they bested GT, 3-0, then fell, 7-3. Sunday, Notre Dame shutout the Yellow Jackets, 12-0 in 5 innings, and pitcher Lauren Winter earned top ranking for career strikeouts at ND with 908. She's also now 3 wins from setting that program record.

This Thursday, the Irish face Florida International and UCF in Orlando. The Irish play Virginia Tech in a double-header in Blacksburg on Saturday, then again on Sunday.

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No. 31 women's tennis (6-6) split their weekend matches, first falling to no. 15 Clemson, 5-2, then beating no. 25 Florida State, 6-1, for their first conference victory.

The Irish will face Charleston on the road this Tuesday, then Boston College in Chestnut Hill on Saturday evening.

The no. 6 men's squad (11-4) was idle this past week but travels to California to face USC this Friday afternoon.

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Notre Dame fencing participated in the NCAA Midwest Regional Qualifiers this past weekend. The Irish earned 3 top finishes (in women's epee, women's foil, & men's foil) while 12 of their athletes strove to qualify for the NCAA Championships. The Irish now await news of who's qualified and continue preparing for the NCAA Championships on March 20^th-23^rd.

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No. 2 women's basketball (32-0) soared through the ACC Tournament this past week. They first bested Florida State, 83-57, then dominated no. 14 North Carolina State in the semifinals, 83-48, before beating no. 10 Duke, 69-53, in the ACC Championship game.

Highlights from the semifinals match against NC State:

Highlights from Notre Dame's victory over Duke in the ACC Championship game:

Congratulations to the Irish on an incredible regular season and an exceptional start to the postseason. Here's alstein's recap of the victory over Duke in the championship game.

The Irish now await the start of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 22^nd.

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Men's basketball (15-13, 6-9) was idle this past week while preparing for the upcoming ACC Conference Tournament. The Irish face Wake Forest in the 1^st round this Wednesday (1:00 p.m. ET, WatchND, ESPN2/ESPNU).

If they advance, they'll play in the 2^nd round on Thursday (2:00 p.m. ET, WatchND, ESPNU/ACC Network). The quarterfinals are on Friday (2:00 p.m. ET, WatchND, ESPN2), the semifinals are on Saturday (1:00 p.m. ET, WatchND, ESPN/ACC Network), and the final is on Sunday (1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ACC Network). Best of luck to the Irish heading into the tournament.

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Notre Dame's track & field team placed 3^rd in the ACC Indoor Championships the week before last and now await the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., this weekend. Best of luck to all student athletes competing.

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Both Irish swimming & diving squads - the no. 20 men (7-5-1) and no. 24 women (8-5) - were idle this past week. They travel to Columbus for the NCAA Zone Diving Qualifier this weekend and then Austin for the NCAA Championships the following week.

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Irish rowing is back on the water at the Oak Ridge/Cardinal Invitational this Saturday in Tennessee.

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Both Irish golf teams began spring play over the past few weeks. The men's team is in the midst of the Lamkin San Diego Classic this Monday and Tuesday; they compete in the Talis Park Challege in Naples, FL, this Sunday. The women's team returns to the tee this weekend at the Clover Cup in Arizona.

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We'll bring you updates once again next week on Notre Dame's Olympic sports. For now, go Irish. Beat everybody.