Sept. 4, 2006
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame junior forward Joseph Lapira (Lake Charles, La./Saint Louis Catholic) has been named the Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week and the BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Lapira notched a career-high four goals, including the game-winner in overtime, in a thrilling 5-4 victory against No. 8 Indiana on Sunday, Sept. 3 in the 24th annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic.
Lapira was named the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic’s Offensive MVP for his four-goal performance, which established a classic record for goals in a game. The four tallies were one shy of the Notre Dame record of five, achieved by Kevin Lovejoy in 1993. By netting three goals, Lapira became the first Irish player to register a hat trick since Devon Prescod did so against Cleveland State during the 2003 campaign.
This marks the second consecutive week in which an Irish player has been tabbed as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week. Senior forward Justin McGeeney (Ames, Iowa/Ames) earned the honor last week after a two-goal performance against Creighton on Sunday, Aug. 27. As a freshman in 2004, Lapira garnered offensive player of the week honors from the league on Oct. 25.
Lapira leads the Fighting Irish in goals with five and points with 10. He put up team-high numbers in both of those categories last season with seven goals and 19 points to go along with five assists, which tied him for the lead. His 15 career goals are the most for any current Irish player.
No. 11 Notre Dame will open BIG EAST play this weekend as South Florida comes to Alumni Field for a 7:30 p.m. showdown on Friday, Sept. 8. Notre Dame will then host DePaul on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1:00 p.m.
— ND —