October 16, 1998
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame was shutout at home for the first time this season as the Irish dropped a 2-0 decision to top-ranked Connecticut at Alumni Field,
The Huskies scored in each half to improve their record to 13-0-0 on the season and 8-0-0 in the BIG EAST. The loss was the second in three games for the Irish and the second consecutive BIG EAST loss as Notre Dame dropped to 6-4-3 on the season and 2-3-2 in the league play.
Coach Mike Berticelli’s squad has not won a BIG EAST match since the Irish defeated Villanova on September 20 in overtime. Since that contest, Notre Dame has tied St. John’s 2-2 in overtime and lost to Georgetown 2-1.
Samuel Forko put the visitors up 1-0 when he took dribbled a shot past Notre Dame goalkeeper Greg Velho (Longwood, Fla.) into the left corner of the goal from the top of the penalty box after Maurizio Rocha’s cross from the right side of the field at the 36:14 mark. Rocha tallied Connecticut’s second goal with less than 10 minutes to play in the contest when he blasted Luis Arauz’ feed from 10 yards out past Velho.
Connecticut outshot Notre Dame 14-11 in the game. Husky goalkeeper Bryheem Hancock made four saves in recording the shutout.
The Irish return to BIG EAST action on Sunday, October 18 when Notre Dame faces 13th-ranked Seton Hall at Alumni Field at 1:00 p.m.