Sept. 29, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – A successful August and September has the second-ranked Notre Dame men’s soccer team heading into October undefeated with a 4-0-3 record.
This is the fifth time in 37 seasons as a varsity program that the Fighting Irish will go into October without a loss. The feat also occurred in 1978 (7-0-2), 1981 (7-0-2), 1987 (10-0-1) and 1988 (10-0-1).
This is the second straight season – and the seventh time ever – that Notre Dame has been undefeated following the first seven matches of the season. The Irish started 7-0 last year.
The Fighting Irish open October action Wednesday evening when they play host to in-state rival and defending national champion Indiana. The match is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) at Alumni Stadium and it will be broadcast live and for free on WatchND.tv.
QUITE A CROWD
Friday evening’s capacity crowd of 3,007 at Alumni Stadium that witnessed the Irish defeat Duke, 3-1, was the sixth largest crowd in program history and the largest ever in the five-year-old venue. The previous high at Alumni Stadium was 3,002 for the 2011 tilt versus Indiana.
“It was a great atmosphere and the students were phenomenal,” Fighting Irish head coach Bobby Clark said. “That was the best I’ve ever heard students in my 13 years here at Notre Dame and what a difference that makes for the players because it keeps them going right through to the end.”
LACHOWECKI GETS THE BAND TOGETHER
Junior left back Max Lachowecki put the Irish up 1-0 just 50 seconds into the second half of Friday’s 3-1 victory over Duke. Even though it was his first goal of the season, Lachowecki knew exactly what to do after the ball hit the back of the net.
“I told the guys at halftime that I was going to score a goal and then I’m going to start a rock band (during the celebration). Evan (Panken) said he’d do the drums. I rocked the corner flag like it was the microphone and I can’t remember who was playing the guitar.
“At halftime the coaches mentioned that our right back Luke Mishu had been getting up into the attack and they told me to try the same thing. Mishu and I practice crossing all the time. He served it in to me and Evan Panken was stranding right in front of me and I told him to leave it and then I kind of blacked out and I look up and it’s in the net and then I went over (to the corner flag) and started my rock band.”
Head coach Bobby Clark may not have an opinion on Lachowecki’s music aspirations, but he was happy with how the left back performed against the Blue Devils.
“Max had a terrific game. He worked so hard and always looked dangerous and so did Luke (Mishu),” Clark said. “Our two fullbacks were terrific.”
Hopefully Lachowecki will be able to get the band back together a few more times this season.
SHIPP STREAKING
With his converted penalty kick in the 90th minute during the victory over Duke, senior forward Harrison Shipp upped his career-best point streak to five games. Shipp has three goals and three assists in those five contests.
Shipp has never missed a match during his Notre Dame career. He has tallied 14 goals and 17 assists in those 67 games. Friday was the first penalty kick attempt of his career.
— Sean Carroll, Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director
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