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ND Women's Basketball: Something Sweet?

By The Observer · Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The Irish got their postseason jitters out of the way Sunday with an easy win over Cleveland State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Now they will look to earn a ticket to the Sweet 16 in the team's last home game.  

The Observer

Football: 14 former players to participate in Pro Day

By The Observer · Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Wide receiver Golden Tate will highlight the roster of 14 former Irish football players who will participate at Notre Dame's Pro Day Tuesday, a Friday press release said. Eleven other members of the 2009 Irish team — running back James Aldridge, wide receiver Robby Parris, offensive linemen Paul Duncan, Eric Olsen and Sam  Young, defensive lineman Morrice Richardson, linebackers Scott Smith and Toryan Smith, and defensive backs Kyle McCarthy, Sergio Brown and Raeshon McNeil — will also participate in drills at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex and the Loftus Sports Center in preparation for the NFL Draft on April 22.  

The Observer

Baseball: Squad looks to bounce back

By The Observer · Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The struggling Irish will look for their first home win of the season and prepare for conference play today, hosting Ball State and Illinois-Chicago this week before traveling to South Florida for a Big East series this weekend.  

The Observer

ND Softball: Irish show confidence in hot start

By The Observer · Tuesday, March 23, 2010

After playing 21 consecutive away games to start the season, the Irish are ready to begin the second half of 2010 at Notre Dame's Melissa Cook Stadium with a doubleheader against Eastern Michigan on Tuesday.  

The Observer

Women's Lacrosse: Irish defeat Terriers in sudden-death overtime

By The Observer · Monday, March 22, 2010

Senior attack Gina Scioscia's goal in the second sudden- death period closed out No. 15 Notre Dame's 7-6 comeback victory over No. 11 Boston University Saturday. "There were some huge defensive plays out there," Irish coach Tracy Coyne said. "[Freshman goalkeeper] Ellie Hilling made a big save in overtime where it came down to a one-on-one situation. Each defender had a big play, and all of those plays led to opportunities on the offensive end." Sophomore attack Maggie Tamasitis strarted off the scoring in the first half for the Irish (4-1). Freshman midfield Jenny Granger scored Notre Dame's only other goal in the half midway through the period, and the Irish closed the half with a 2-1 lead in a low-scoring opening period. "We were getting good looks the whole game," Coyne said. "Their goalie is very good. Sometimes we would shoot wide, and sometimes she would make a great save. We could shoot better, but I think we still got it done." The Terriers scored five of the first seven goals after halftime to take a 6-4 lead with three minutes left in the game, but the Irish got clutch goals from junior midfield Shaylyn Blaney and Tamasitis to tie the game and send it into overtime. "You can say this much about this team, they have a refuse-to-lose mentality," Coyne said. "We created the situations that won us this game. It wasn't BU falling apart. It came from our toughness." The game, which went into two overtimes and lasted more than 71 minutes, ended as the second-longest game in Notre Dame history. The Irish caused several of Boston's 14 turnovers in the extra period while Hilling kept Notre Dame in the game with an eight-save performance in only her fifth collegiate start in net. Coyne was especially pleased with the rookie goalkeeper. "She had a great game {Saturday]," Coyne said. "She came out with a real strong warm-up and we had a feeling that she was going to play well, which she did." Coyne was also pleased with the way her team dealt with fatigue in the high-pressure situations of overtime. "We were definitely in shape, we were composed," Coyne said. "Our end-of- game defensive unit was really strong under pressure and we work on that in practice so we're pleased by that." The Irish will look to continue their winning ways when they take on No. 14 Vanderbilt Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in the team's home opener at Arlotta Stadium. 

The Observer

SMC Tennis: Belles fall to ranked opponent Ind. Wesleyan

By The Observer · Monday, March 22, 2010

The Belles dropped a close match to No. 13 Indiana Wesleyan Saturday, 6-3, despite another impressive showing by junior Jillian Hurley, the Belles' No. 1 singles player and member of the No. 2 doubles pair. Belles coach Dale Campbell said he was pleased by the Belles' (6-3) improvement despite the loss, and noted that Saint Mary's was only slightly outmatched by an undefeated Indiana Wesleyan, a powerhouse in its own conference. "I thought we had a little bit of an off day," Campbell said. "We played a good team in Indiana Wesleyan." From the outset of the season, Campbell has stressed the importance of doubles play as an aspect the team must improve in order to have a successful season. The improvements he has been seeing, however, are central to this goal. "Our doubles game is improving," Campbell said. "We're still trying to get more aggressive, though. "Our overall game just needs to keep improving," Campbell said. "Our No. 1 doubles team played really well, despite losing, and we seemed to play the net much more aggressively. I was happy with their improvement." Hurley continues to stand out as the Belles' top performer. She defeated Wildcat Lisa Massey in three sets and won the No. 2 doubles match with partner Mary Therese Lee. Hurley has yet to drop a match on the individual side and has won all but one of her doubles matches so far this season. Campbell has also been pleased by Hurley's performance this season, he said. Junior Franca Peluso at No. 4 singles was the only other Belles singles win Saturday. This weekend marked the end of the Belles' nonconference competition. With six quality wins under their belt, they will move forward with confidence as they prepare for MIAA play. Last year Saint Mary's finished fifth in the conference, ending the season with a win over Olivet in the conference tournament. The team will to improve upon its 2009 standing this spring. Saint Mary's begins its conference season Saturday against Alma. The match will take place either outdoors on the Saint Mary's campus or indoors at Notre Dame, depending on the weather.  

The Observer

ND Women's Basketball: A balanced victory

By The Observer · Monday, March 22, 2010

The No. 2-seed Irish used their depth to wear down a spirited Cleveland State team and overcome a 31-point performance by Vikings guard Kailey Klein in an 86-58 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday at the Purcell Pavilion. "I was really pleased with the second half," Irish coach Muffet McGraw said. "We did a really nice job with the balance of the game. I thought different people stepped up at different times. I thought in the first half we were able to get out to a nice little jump." Klein went off on the Irish (28-5) during the first half, scoring 21 of Cleveland State's 25 points in the period. Klein got the score as close as 29-25 with 1:13 left on the clock before the Irish went on a quick run to stretch things to 34-25 heading into the break. "I have not seen a player have that kind of half this year, and we have played against some pretty good players," McGraw said. "We haven't seen anybody have that kind of performance in a half. She had 21 of their 25 points. She had just a spectacular game and she is a great player." Since both teams caught the turnover bug early in the game — the Irish turned the ball over 14 times and Cleveland State (19-14) 24 times — the first team to step up on defense would gain the advantage. Senior guard Ashley Barlow served that role for the Irish. "Barlow was chasing me all over the floor," Klein said. "I was coming out expecting that and I just hoped my teammates would hit some shots." Barlow helped lead the Irish attack with 13 points, but her ability to shut down Klein in the second half was what really stood out. Klein was only able to add 10 points to her total in the second half after her breakout 21-point first half. "In the first half, Klein was constantly moving and we were not quite sure where she was," Barlow said. "In the second half, we tried to locate her and know where she was on the floor at all times. I tried to not let her touch the ball at all and tried hard to deny her in the second half." Klein broke down and cried after the game knowing that she was able to leave such a strong performance on the floor at a place she idolized as a child and had always wanted to play after growing up in Cherry, Ill. "I really just went out there and gave it all I could. Notre Dame was my idol growing up, so I wanted to come in here and prove myself on the floor I always wanted to play on," she said. Freshman guard Skylar Diggins had a somewhat quiet night with seven points and five turnovers. Despite the shaky performance, McGraw wanted to emphasize the positives in Diggins' game: her team-leading eight assists and seven rebounds. "I think a lot of times players look at their offense, and she looks at her turnovers, which I think indicates that she was a little nervous to start the game," McGraw said. "I think after getting one [Tournament] game under her belt, she is going to be ready for Tuesday." Against a small Cleveland State team, Notre Dame exploited the inside post game and got the ball inside. Junior forward Becca Bruszewski came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 14 points, while senior center Erica Williamson and junior forward Devereaux Peters added eight and 12 points, respectively. "We had a height advantage," McGraw said. "They came in a little bigger in the first half when Devereaux Peters was in foul trouble, but in the second half I thought we did a better job of getting the ball down to [senior forward] Lindsay Schrader, Erica Williamson, Becca Bruszewski and Devereaux [Peters]. We just really wanted to get them some touches." Now that the Irish have advanced to the second round, they will take on No. 10-seed Vermont (27-6), which pulled an upset 64-55 win over No. 7-seed Wisconsin in the game just before Notre Dame's. The Irish will tip off with Vermont Tuesday in the Purcell Pavilion at 7 p.m.  

The Observer

Men's Lacrosse: Two hat tricks earn victory

By The Observer · Monday, March 22, 2010

Playing their fifth game in 14 days, the No. 9 Irish needed an overtime goal from junior midfielder David Earl to top Ohio State 7-6 Saturday. Both Earl and fellow junior midfielder Zach Brenneman recorded hat tricks for Notre Dame (5-2), providing the offense on a day when the team was off its game, Irish coach Kevin Corrigan said. "It was great to pull one out like that, but I'm not sure we are playing the way we are capable of playing," Corrigan said. "Though when you're playing your fifth game in 14 days, you are happy to find a way to win." Corrigan said Earl's play in the win was the difference between the Irish and the Buckeyes. "David Earl was unbelievable. David was our best player," he said. "He made plays at both ends of the field. He was an absolute warrior." Of Earl's winning goal, Corrigan said the junior fulfilled his role, and more. "It was a typical play where we have him in for that situation because they have ball coming out of the timeout and he's in there to play defense," Corrigan said. "He plays defense, gets the ball, clears the ball and scores an unassisted goal. It was a great play by him." Earl not only scored the winning goal, but also netted Notre Dame's first goal of the game — after Ohio State started the game with a 2-0 advantage — and he scored the tying goal with less than four minutes to play in regulation. The Irish needed Earl's heroics from the opening minute of the game after the Buckeyes scored just 36 seconds into the contest. "I'd feel better [about our defense] if I didn't feel we gave them a couple goals," Corrigan said. "It was a very good defensive performance in our settled defense, but we gave them a goal seconds into the game. Those kind of things are disappointing, especially when you end up in overtime because you realize those are the goals that could have cost you the game." Despite his disappointment in the overall performance, Corrigan said the way the Irish fought through the fourth quarter and overtime was promising. "I was really happy with the way we scrapped in the fourth quarter to put ourselves in a position to win that game," he said. "Given what it was in terms of how we played to that point, down a couple in the fourth quarter and needing to make plays, I was very happy with how hard our guys fought." Notre Dame next takes the field when it opens up Big East play Saturday against Rutgers at Arlotta Stadium.  

The Observer

Baseball: Spartans ruin Irish home debut with sweep

By The Observer · Monday, March 22, 2010

 After a month of traveling to early season tournaments, the Irish were eager to play their first home games this weekend. Eck Stadium was not kind to Notre Dame, however, as Michigan State swept the Irish in the three-game series. The first game of the Saturday doubleheader was all Spartans, as Michigan State starter A.J. Achter tossed a complete game shutout and the Irish were routed 13-0. Achter struck out nine and gave up seven hits in the win, and Notre Dame sophomore Steve Sabatino was touched up for nine runs in five innings. "We had a good focused approach coming into the weekend and came out with a lot of positive energy despite the weather," Irish senior pitcher Eric Maust said. "We had a good attitude coming into the weekend but didn't see the results we wanted." Freshman second baseman Frank Desico had two of Notre Dame's seven hits in the game. The Irish rebounded in Saturday's second game to take an early lead, scoring three runs in the opening frame off Spartan starter Kurt Wunderlich. Senior outfielder Ryan Connolly hit a two-run home run over the left field fence, and Notre Dame scored a third run after Wunderlich threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Michigan State got on the board in the second off Irish starter Brian Dupra, and an RBI single by Spartan Eli Bokie in the fifth inning narrowed the score to 3-2. Another wild pitch with the bases loaded by Wunderlich helped Notre Dame nudge the lead back to two runs, but in the seventh inning the Irish pitching began to struggle. After Dupra allowed a run and was relieved by senior Steven Mazur, Michigan State broke through with two more runs off walks by Mazur to take a 6-4 lead. The Spartans added an insurance run in the ninth inning and closer Kurtis Frymier picked up the save. Maust had a strong performance in Sunday's finale, but the Irish were shut out for the second consecutive day, falling to Michigan State starter Tony Bucciferro 3-0. Notre Dame managed just a pair of hits off Bucciferro in the complete game shutout, never threatening to score until the ninth inning. The Irish managed to load the bases with a walk, a double and a hit batsman, but Bucciferro struck out junior shortstop Mick Doyle to finish the game. "Michigan State is a good team, their hitters didn't chase many pitches and forced us to locate around the zone," Maust said. "There were no easy outs but nothing was insurmountable." Maust allowed just two runs on seven hits in six innings, striking out three and walking one. "I was decently pleased with my execution but there is still a lot of room for improvement," Maust said. "A big positive for me is that I get more and more comfortable out there with each outing, and I feel like I'm gaining a lot of strength back that had been idle during football season." The Irish fell to 7-11 on the season with the losses. Notre Dame will host two more home games this week against Ball State and Illinois-Chicago Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, before starting Big East play this weekend at South Florida.

The Observer

A 'sense of urgency'

By The Observer · Friday, March 19, 2010

Despite the buzz traditionally associated with March Madness, Notre Dame's NCAA Tournament run last year could not have been more anticlimactic. There was no confetti pouring from the ceiling, no unruly fans rushing the home court — just a first-round defeat at the hands of No. 10-seed Minnesota in front of a stunned home crowd.

The Observer

SMC Softball: Saint Mary's ready for doubleheader

By The Observer · Friday, March 19, 2010

After splitting a doubleheader with Goshen Tuesday, the Belles are ready for another doubleheader Saturday at Manchester College. Saint Mary's started the day with a decisive 4-2 victory, but could not repeat their success in the second game, which the Maple Leafs won 5-3. In the first game, the Belles came back from a 2-1 deficit. Saint Mary's bats came to life in the fifth inning when they scored two runs to take the lead after a series of clutch base hits. With the support of the defense, including a solid performance on the mound by sophomore Monica Palicki, the Belles were able to hold off Goshen for the win. Palicki pitched the entire game, closing with seven strike outs, one walk and not giving up any earned runs in her fourth win of the season. Seniors Maureen Healy and Sara Montelongo and sophomore Kristen Nelson each went 2-3 in the game. Healy had a pair of RBIs while Montelongo had a RBI and a run. Despite a good defensive effort from the Belle's in the second game, the team was unable to produce at the plate and many times left runners stranded at the end of an inning. The second game saw the Belles unable to keep up with the Goshen scoring drive after scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth. But Belles coach Erin Sullivan was happy with her team's overall performance. "Our pitchers both had good days," she said. "I was very happy with Kristen Nelson. She has been really hot at the plate lately and continued to help make things happen for our team on offense.  Maureen Healy and Sara Montelongo came up with some key hits for us as well." Healy was responsible for batting in the two winning runs in the fifth inning of the first game while Nelson batted in Montelongo in the seventh inning to seal the win. "The hitters were thinking too much at the plate. Goshen's pitcher wasn't throwing exceptionally well, but she kept our hitters guessing. We also let the umpire's liberal strike zone affect us in a negative way. It took too long for the team to start hitting in the second game," Sullivan said. This week, the team has sharpened their game in preparation for Manchester. Sullivan said she sees it as a prime opportunity for the Belles to continue the improvement they have shown throughout the season. "I think we have more confidence, but we're still trying to find ourselves," Sullivan said. "What's great about that though is we haven't peaked yet, so I'm hoping we will peak near the end of the season when we need it most." The Belles will travel to North Manchester, Ind. to take on the Spartans in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Observer

ND Men's Lacrosse: Team looks for another win

By The Observer · Friday, March 19, 2010

The Irish opened Arlotta Stadium in style Tuesday with a 14-7 win over Denver and they now look to continue this success in their new home Saturday against Ohio State. No. 9 Notre Dame (4-2) visited the Buckeyes last year at The Horseshoe on the day of Ohio State's spring football game. In front of the largest attendance in NCAA lacrosse history, the Irish captured a 14-8 win behind junior midfielder Zach Brenneman's four goals. After Brenneman scored three in Tuesday's victory, Irish coach Kevin Corrigan said the team needs to keep playing as it has been. "We're looking to continue to improve, and play smart against a team that is always very athletic and very crafty with the ball," Corrigan said. In the victory over Denver, senior midfielder Grant Krebs and sophomore attack Sean Rogers also tallied hat tricks. Corrigan said the offensive outburst was a team accomplishment. "The fact that you had three guys do it means it was more about the team than it was about the individual. When your team is playing good offense and creating opportunities, than a lot of people have opportunities to contribute," he said. "That means you're moving the ball, moving people around and moving the defense around." This game is the last tune-up for the Irish before opening the first season of Big East lacrosse. The seven-team conference includes four top-25 teams in Notre Dame, defending champion Syracuse, Georgetown and Villanova. Before the three-game Spring Break trip, Corrigan said the Irish needed to begin improving against top-tier competition before the Big East season started. "We're not going to wait [to get better] until Big East play starts," he said. "We are trying to improve before the next game." In order for Notre Dame to continue to improve for each game, it must prepare for a versatile Ohio State attack. "[Ohio State has] a lot of different guys who can hurt you," Corrigan said. "Their attack has always scored a lot for them. Even though there are starting two freshman on it this year, that continues. … We've got to keep them out of the transition goals, the easy goals." Notre Dame hosts Ohio State at 1 p.m. Saturday as they look for their second win at the new Arlotta Stadium.

The Observer

Baseball: Irish ready for home opener

By The Observer · Friday, March 19, 2010

The Irish are set to host their season home opener this weekend when they meet Michigan State for three games over two days in Eck Stadium. Saturday features an early afternoon double-header followed by the rubber match on Sunday. "They are a very well-coached team, that is first and foremost," Irish coach Dave Schrage said. "I think that they are probably the most improved team in the Big Ten this year, and they really have a chance to challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten title." Schrage said that his team is enjoying the warm weather and getting some good practices in, and the matchup against the Spartans (9-4, 0-0 Big Ten) gives the Irish an advantage that he appreciates. "Yeah, it is always good to play at home," Schrage said. "I think we have always had a nice record there at home. It just feels more normal to you, and the surroundings are familiar. You always play more relaxed and a little bit better. So we are excited to get our home season underway." The Irish (7-8) will need that home-field advantage, as they had a rough 2-4 weekend and have gotten off to a slow start this year. "I think that our team is still a little bit of a work in progress, and we just need to get out and keep playing," Schrage said. "I think the fact that we were able to play so many days in a row was very beneficial to us, and now with good weather we have been able to get out and have some good practices." Notre Dame will send sophomore left-hander Steve Sabatino and junior right-hander Brian Dupra to the mound on Saturday, and senior right-hander Eric Maust will get the starting nod on Sunday. Sabatino is pitching well for the Irish in his second season with the team, posting a team-low 3.32 era and 16 strikeouts in his 19 innings pitched this year. Maust has yet to earn a decision this year, but he is tossing a respectable 5.19 era in 17 and 1/3 innings pitched. The real standout lately in Schrage's mind is Dupra who holds a 4.91 ERA and has recorded 17 strikeouts. Schrage said Dupra is throwing the ball better now than he has ever seen him do. "I feel like he has had his two best pitching performances since he has been here," Schrage said. "I have been very, very pleased. He found his new pitch this year, a split-finger fastball that coach Dangler has worked with him on, and I think that has been a big reason for his success. He is throwing the ball hard, he always has, but now he is getting his off-speed over and that has been what's getting all the swings and misses." Leading the offense so far this year for the Irish has been senior first baseman Casey Martin. Martin is leading the team in all the major offensive categories with a .434 batting average, 11 runs, 23 hits, three home runs and 16 RBIs. "[Casey] is leading us in just about every offensive category, and he is off to a great start," Schrage said. "He has driven in some big runs, he supplied a lot of power, he has a great batting average and he has been playing good defense at first base. He has definitely been our leader all the way around from an offensive standpoint." Schrage said he is worried about the Spartan's two-pronged pitching attack in AJ Achter and Kurt Wunderlich. "I think they have two of the better starting pitchers as far as one-two combination," he said. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Saturday, with the second game to follow. Sunday's game is set to start at 1:05 p.m. 

The Observer

Three players named All-Region

By The Observer · Friday, March 19, 2010

Freshman guard Skylar Diggins and senior guards Ashley Barlow and Lindsay Schrader each garnered all-region honors, which were announced Tuesday by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Forty players will be chosen from the 52 all-region nominees to become members of the 2010 State Farm Coaches' All-America Team.

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