Sports

SMC Soccer: Joyce, squad eager to recover

Belles coach Michael Joyce knows there is still much to be desired from his squad after a 4-0 loss to Aurora Wednesday in the season opener.

Men's Soccer: ND to tackle UCLA, Cal

No. 18 Notre Dame will start its regular season Friday facing one of the toughest teams on their 2010 schedule and a California powerhouse — No. 5 UCLA.

Women's soccer vs. Santa Clara live blog

SMC Cross Country: Belles take on field at Wabash

The Belles got their first home meet out of the way with great success, taking the top eight places against Goshen Wednesday evening. This weekend, they approach the next step — their first away match and open meet of the season.

SMC Volleyball: Team seeks first win at Elmhurst Invitational

Following a three-game sweep at the hands of Bethel on Wednesday, the Belles look to get into the win column for the first time this season as they compete in the Elmhurst Invitational. Saint Mary's will face the University of Chicago and Wheaton on Friday, before taking on Western New England and Elmhurst Saturday in the final tune-up before the conference season.

ND Women's Soccer: Measuring Stick

An old soccer adage holds that the team that has the possession advantage will win the game, a strategy Spain used to great effect this summer in its World Cup triumph. Irish coach Randy Waldrum hopes to emulate the newly minted world champions this weekend in both style and results as Notre Dame hosts the Inn at Saint Mary's Classic.

SMC Cross Country: SMC takes top eight positions

Eight Saint Mary's runners completed Wednesday's home exhibition race before the first female runner from Goshen finished as the Belles got a strong start to the 2010 season.

SMC Volleyball: Belles drop opener to cross-town rival Bethel

As they do every year, the Belles opened their season against Bethel in a matchup of cross-town rivals. Making full use of their home court advantage, the Pilots handed Saint Mary's its first loss of the season in straight sets (25-17, 25-12, 25-23).

ND Cross Country: Irish squads aim to defend title

The Irish hope to start their season at a fast pace as they defend their title at the Crusader Open at Sunset Farm Hills in Valparaiso, Ind.

Football: Almost ready

With just days until Notre Dame's season opener against Purdue, Irish coach Brian Kelly is looking for perfection.

ND Volleyball: Irish focus on themselves

After a challenging Sunday match that ended in defeat against Arizona, the Irish are ready to take another stand this weekend as they travel to the Nevada Invitational in Reno, Nevada, to take on a trio of teams, Belmont, Weber State and Nevada.

SMC Cross Country: Saint Mary's opens season against new foe

Just one week into school, many students are complaining about the extremely hot weather. Some days, even walking to and from class and the dining hall seems unbearable.

Not talkin 'bout practice: Sept. 1

Sometimes, when we write that no Observer reporters were at that week's Wednesday practice (which is open to the media as an "off the record conversation"), we're lying for comic effect.

Men's Soccer: Irish look for help in goal

The Irish will begin the 2010 campaign with a somewhat tenuous situation at goalkeeper, since senior Philip Tuttle, the sure starter coming into the year, tore his meniscus and will miss at least part of the season. That means that the likely starter, junior Will Walsh, along with freshmen Adam LaPlaca and Patrick Wall, will need to step up for Notre Dame to start out the season on a high note.

SMC Volleyball: Belles face local foe in first match

The Belles enter a new season optimistic they can improve upon last year's seventh-place MIAA finish that saw the team go 9-17 (5-11).

Football: Depth charge

When Notre Dame's two-deep depth chart for Saturday's game against Purdue was released Monday, some players were very happy.

RecSports: Water polo squad starts slowly

Notre Dame began its season by dropping three of four matches, as the Irish fell to the Ohio Squirrels, Michigan State and Michigan, and beat Virginia.

ND Women's Golf: Freshman competes in US Open

For many college golfers, the ultimate aspiration is to one day tee it up with the professionals. Players log endless hours at the practice range and putting green in an attempt to achieve this dream.

ND Women's Tennis: Lone senior Rafael ready for leadership role

A year after her team graduated three players, Kristen Rafael is ready for the challenge of being Notre Dame's only senior.

ND Women's Soccer: Tough road ahead

No. 4 Notre Dame knows this stretch is coming every year, and the time has come for the Irish to begin their challenging non-conference schedule.