Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website

Five Favorite Photos Of The Week

Jan. 25, 2018

By Erin Locascio

Erin Locascio is a photography and graphic design intern for the University of Notre Dame. Throughout the year she will have a weekly post about her favorite five photos from the week’s events. This week Locascio is highlighting Notre Dame men’s and women’s tennis, women’s basketball and ice hockey.

In each post Locascio will give background information on the photo and why she selected it.

Comeback Sealed!

Exactly a week ago the Notre Dame women’s basketball team completed the biggest comeback in program history. After being down by as many as 23 points in the first half, the Fighting Irish defeated Tennessee by 14. In a win of that magnitude, emotions couldn’t be held back and that is what was showcased with this photo. Marina Mabrey sunk a three late in the fourth quarter which helped seal the win. She then flew down the court, which can be seen by her hair flying back, to celebrate with teammate Arike Ogunbowale whose smile is turning into a scream. This photo encompasses how not only Notre Dame women’s basketball felt after that win, but how the Fighting Irish fans felt as well.

Arike Breakaway Layup

This is an average shot of a breakaway layup being completed by Arike Ogunbowale against Boston College on January 14th. The reason it was chosen as one of the top photos from the past week is because of the photo as a whole and not just the action being completed by the athlete. The Boston College players are way behind Arike while she easily goes up for the layup. Then, the shamrock on the bottom of the scoreboard ties the whole photo together. Sometimes it’s not the action, but the moment and environment that makes the photo better than the rest.

Irish Sweep!

Rachel Chong and the Fighting Irish women’s tennis team started their season with a sweep over Eastern Michigan. This celebration photo of Chong perfectly showcases how the team feels after its first win of the season. Luckily, I was in the perfect spot to capture this at the right time. If I had been shooting one of the other two double matches going on at the same time, or maybe shooting from a different position, this photo would have never happened as well as it did. Being on eye level with Chong makes it great because the passion can be seen in her eyes along with the intensity of her scream.

ACC Player of the Week

Alex Lebedev and the Notre Dame men’s tennis team had a very successful opening weekend by going undefeated in three matches. Lebedev also took home ACC Player of the Week and was part of the Doubles Team of the Week with teammate William Howells. With that much success, it was only right that one of the many photos captured of Alex this weekend was chosen as one the favorites. This was the final choice because it was the best pure tennis action shot. Lebedev is caught mid air, right as he is about to make contact with the ball. The net shown in the shot gives a good perspective of the moment. Lastly, something that I think adds even more is the C on Lebedev’s chest is seen perfectly, which showcases him as a captain.

Spotlight at United Center

Lastly, Notre Dame men’s ice hockey traveled to Chicago this weekend to play Wisconsin at the United Center, home to the NHL Blackhawks. Even though the outcome was not in favor of the Fighting Irish, the environment was still one to be amazed by. Since this is an arena where a professional team plays, the teams get professional treatment. That means they get a literal spotlight on them while the starting lineups are called, which is what is happening in this photo. Jordan Gross was called and greeted by teammate Dennis Gilbert with the spotlight highlighting them both. The part that ties it all together and makes it my favorite is how the “Notre Dame Fighting Irish” is flashing on the video boards above them.