Sept. 8, 2004
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2004 Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament
#1/1 Indiana vs. CS Fullerton, Friday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m.
#11/4 Notre Dame vs. Evansville, Friday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Evansville vs. #1/1 Indiana, Sunday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.
#11/4 Notre Dame vs. CS Fullerton, Sunday, Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m.
Follow the 2004 Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament action live via www.und.com: The University of Notre Dame men’s soccer team plays host to the 2004 Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament this weekend on campus. Bracketing the Notre Dame – Michigan football game with matches on Friday and Sunday, this weekend will provide a great atmosphere for collegiate soccer at Alumni Field. The Irish welcome #1/1 Indiana, CS Fullerton and Evansville to the four-team tournament this season.
All of the tournament action will be available on www.und.com this weekend. Notre Dame’s matches will be available via live audio to subscribers of the Irish Sports Pass and the College Sports Online Gametracker live statistics package will be offered for all four matches this weekend.
Go to: www.und.com to access to the live audio information (on the right hand side of the page). Click here for the gametracker links of all four contests this weekend.
The last time… Notre Dame played host to the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament was last season, when the Irish defeated Fresno State 2-1 in overtime, then battled to a scoreless tie with Akron. The Irish won the tournament title via the goals-scored tiebreaker over Akron (which also finished the tournament 1-0-1).
Berticelli Memorial Tournament history: The Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament is played to honor the memory of the former Irish head coach who passed away in January of 2000 after 10 years at Notre Dame. `Coach B,’ as he will always be known by those close to the program, will forever be remembered at Notre Dame and there is a monument dedicated to his memory at the entrance to Alumni Field.
The Berticelli Tournament has been scheduled three times, but only competed twice. The `01 tournament was cancelled due to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Bradley won the first tournament in 2002, followed by Notre Dame capturing the title in 2003.
Here is a look at the two previous all-tournament teams:
2002: MVP: Chris Dunsheath, GK, Bradley
Tim Regan (Bradley), Ryan Radschke (Bradley), Ryan Halcrow (Bradley), Kevin Goldthwaite (Notre Dame), Justin Ratcliffe (Notre Dame), Devon Prescod (Notre Dame), Kenneth Penn (Furman), Gray Griffin (Furman), Doug Allan (Cornell) and Scott Palguta (Cornell).
2003: No MVP named
Kevin Richards (Notre Dame), Justin Detter (Notre Dame), Chad Riley (Notre Dame), Jack Stewart (Notre Dame), Justin Chrisafaris (Akron), Mike Marich (Akron), Cameron Knowles (Akron), Eric Kronberg (Fresno State), Corey Sipos (Fresno State), Drew Shinabarger (Indiana) and Ned Grabavoy (Indiana).
All-time Berticelli Tournament results:
2002: #7 Furman 0, #24 Bradley 0 (2 OT) • #5 Notre Dame 1, Cornell 1 (2 OT) #24 Bradley 3, Cornell 0 • #5 Notre Dame 2, #7 Furman 1 (2 OT)
2003: Akron 1, #14 Indiana 0 • #16 Notre Dame 2, Fresno State 1 (OT) •#14 Indiana 3, Fresno State 1 •#16 Notre Dame 0, Akron 0 (2 OT)
What you need to know about Notre Dame this weekend:
• Notre Dame, already off to its best start under Bobby Clark, is looking to begin the season 3-0 for the first time since 1998.
• Notre Dame has not won its first four games of the season since 1987 (the Irish won nine in a row to begin the `87 campaign).
• Notre Dame and Indiana are participating in the same tournament for the second consecutive weekend, but will not meet team-to-team until Wednesday, Sept. 15, when the Irish travel to Bloomington to take on the top-ranked Hoosiers in a nationally’televised contest on CSTV (see note later in this package for more details on the CSTV coverage).
• Players to watch for Notre Dame: All-America candidates GK Chris Sawyer and D Jack Stewart have also been named to the 2004 Hermann Trophy watch list. Stewart scored two of Notre Dame’s first four goals of the season last weekend.
Evansville team overview and series history: Notre Dame and Evansville, former MCC rivals (now the Horizon League) have met 10 times … the Purple Aces lead the all-time series 5-4-1 … the two teams have not met since 1993, a 1-0 Notre Dame victory … Notre Dame and Evansville met in the 1991 MCC Championship match, with the Purple Aces earning a 2-0 victory … Evansville is 1-0-1 this season, defeating Wisconsin 2-1 and tieing UW-Milwaukee 1-1 … Dan Broxup has scored two of Evansville’s three goals this season … Evansville finished the 2003 season 9-7-3 overall and 4-4-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference (sixth place).
CS Fullerton team overview and series history: Notre Dame and CS Fullerton have met just once previously during the 1994 season … the teams battled to a 2-2 overtime deadlock … the Titans are 0-2-0 on the young season, suffering losses to UCKMS 2-1 and Oakland 2-1 … Taylor Sheldrick has scored both of CS Fullerton’s goals this season … the Titans finished the 2003 season with a 8-10-2 record and 3-6-1 mark in the Big West Conference (tied for fifth place).
Stewart nabs BIG EAST award: Senior Jack Stewart was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Sept. 6, after scoring two goals during Notre Dame’s opening weekend at the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic in Bloomington, Ind. The Irish defeated Oregon State (2-1) and Boston University (2-0) to finish second in the two-day tournament behind host Indiana (who was also 2-0 and claimed the title via the goals-scored tiebreaker).
Stewart scored Notre Dame’s first goal of the season versus Oregon State on a memorable shot from 18 yards out, ripping a left-footed bullet on freshman Alex Yoshinaga’s first career assist. He also scored the first goal of the game against Boston University, moving up at the opportune time, out running the Terrier defense and beating the goalkeeper one-on-one. The Torrance, Calif., native was named to the all-tournament team, along with teammates GK Chris Sawyer and F Justin McGeeney.
The two goals scored over the weekend match Stewart’s career totals entering the season. Known as one of the top central defenders in the nation, Stewart has been named to the Hermann Trophy watch list (the most prestigious player of the year award in collegiate soccer).
While moving forward to score two goals, Stewart also helped the Irish defense post its first shutout of the season (vs. Boston University) and hold Notre Dame’s opponents to just 10 shots in two games.
The BIG EAST weekly award is the first of Stewart’s career at Notre Dame. He is a two-time all-conference selection (first team in 2003, second team in 2002).
Sawyer enjoys solid first weekend of action: Although senior GK Chris Sawyer officially made just four saves over the weekend, any observer of the action would point out that they were some of the most impressive stops in his career.
Against Oregon State, Sawyer posted a spectacular leaping save on a Beaver shot destined for the top corner of the net. Sawyer was able to deflect the ball off the crossbar, allowing teammate Jack Stewart to swoop in and easily clear the ball away.
Sawyer also snuffed out several offensive chance by the Beavers, taking away several crosses in midair. He also posted a memorable save against Boston University, a diving stop in a one-on-one situation.
Sawyer also benefitted from Notre Dame’s solid offense in front of him, holding Notre Dame’s two opponents to just 10 shots last weekend.
Career firsts: A number of Irish players logged career firsts last weekend. Sophomore Justin McGeeney, who was named to the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic all-tournament team, logged his first career goal against Oregon State. Classmate Nate Norman posted both his first career assist (vs. Oregon State) and goal (vs. Boston University) over the weekend. Junior John Stephens also nabbed his first career assist on Jack Stewart’s gamewinner vs. Oregon State. Also getting in on the career-first path was freshman Alex Yoshinaga, assisting on Stewart’s goal against OSU – the first of the year for Notre Dame.
Minor injuries allow Irish to show off their depth: Notre Dame’s defense was as solid as ever last weekend, holding Oregon State and Boston University to just 10 shots while asking all-star goalie Chris Sawyer to make just four saves.
Those numbers become even more impressive under consideration that Notre Dame was playing without two of its top defenders. Senior leftback Kevin Goldthwaite and junior central defender Dale Rellas were sidelined last weekend due to injuries (Rellas is day-to-day, Goldthwaite is week-to-week). Senior Christopher High assumed the duties in the central defense, a role in which he excelled last season during Notre Dame’s late season surge to the BIG EAST Championship and NCAA Sweet 16.
Taking over for Goldthwaite in the back row was junior Ben Crouse, who has seen limited time during his career simply because he was backing up Goldthwaite – respected as one of the top attacking defensive players in the nation. The Notre Dame defense has not missed a beat with Crouse in the backline, who has played all 180 minutes so far this season and has moved up for three shot attempts.
2-0-0 start is the best of the Bobby Clark era at Notre Dame: The Irish began the season 2-0-0 last weekend, marking the first time in Bobby Clark’s four seasons Notre Dame has won its first two games. The statistic is somewhat misleading, however, as Clark has won all four of his season openers and has never started 0-2-0.
Notre Dame began the Clark era in 2001 with a 5-0 victory over Villanova, then lost to #5 Furman in Greenville, SC. The Irish eventually started 2-2-0 in `01. The `02 season opened at the Diadora Challenge in Omaha, Neb., where Notre Dame defeated SW Missouri State 3-2 before tieing #19 Creighton 2-2. The first four games of the `02 season ended up 2-0-2.
The `03 season saw the Irish face two ranked teams, taking on #20 UAB (0-0 tie) and #11 California (2-1 win). Notre Dame then lost 3-0 to #13 St. John’s before defeating Fresno State 2-1 to open the season 2-1-1 in its first four games.
Irish poll watch: Notre Dame debuted in both the adidas/NSCAA and Soccer America polls at #9. The ninth-ranking was the highest preseason ranking for Notre Dame men’s soccer in the adidas/NSCAA poll (the Irish were ranked third in the preseason last year by Soccer America).
This week, the Irish slipped to 11th in the adidas NSCAA ranking (which is determined by regional ranking as well, Michigan moved ahead of Notre Dame in the Great Lakes Region – therefore the Wolverines had to be ranked above the Irish in the national poll), but moved up to fourth in the Soccer America top 25.
Two other national polls have been updated as well, with the Irish #7 in the SoccerTimes.com Top 25 and #13 in the College Soccer News.com listing.
Notre Dame reached as high as third in both the adidas/NSCAA and Soccer America polls last season – the highest ranking in the program’s history.
Snapshot of the Irish: On paper, the Irish will be challenged to replace 35 of 38 goals scored last season. On the field, Notre Dame will boast a quick and talented midfield, a strong defense and one of the best goalkeepers in the nation for the 2004 season.
The Irish attack will be keyed by an athletic midfield, featuring three sophomores in Greg Dalby, Nate Norman and Ian Etherington and senior Luke Boughen. All four have the ability to move up and score goals, while also setting up forwards Justin McGeeney (1 G, 6 shots in `04) and Tony Megna (six shots).
The defense will be a strength across the board with All-American Jack Stewart (2 G) and junior Dale Rellas (who missed the `03 season after starting each game as a rookie) in the middle. Ryan Miller will step in at rightback, while Kevin Goldthwaite will patrol the left side. Goldthwaite, one of the best in the country at his position, will miss a few games at the beginning of the season after suffering an injury in practice. Junior Ben Crouse has stepped in and played very well in Goldthwaite’s left back position.
Behind Notre Dame’s talented defense is GK Chris Sawyer (four saves, two shutouts), the BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and one of the most talented goal stops in the nation.
Sawyer and Stewart named to the 2004 Hermann Trophy watch list: Two Notre Dame men’s soccer players have been named to the 2004 Hermann Trophy Watch List, the most prestigious honor in intercollegiate soccer. Senior goalkeeper Chris Sawyer and senior central defender Jack Stewart joined 23 other players from across the country to be considered among the top talents in the nation and ones to watch for outstanding play during the ’04 season.
Sawyer and Stewart were two of four BIG EAST Conference players on the list, joining St. John’s Matt Groenwald and Boston College’s Guy Melamed. With two players on the watch list, Notre Dame joins defending national champion Indiana, North Carolina and UCLA as the only four teams in the nation to have two players on the Hermann list. Sawyer and Stewart also become the first Notre Dame players in school history to be named to the men’s Hermann Watch List.
Sawyer matched the school record for shutouts last season with 12, including an impressive three straight in the BIG EAST Championship, helping the Irish secure the program’s first conference title since 1996. Sawyer was named the BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player after the tournament, a trophy that fit well next to his BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Compiling a 485-minute scoreless minute streak early in the 2003 season, Sawyer eventually played all but 10 minutes of Notre Dame’s matches last season. He held Notre Dame’s opponents to one or zero goals in 20 of 23 matches. Sawyer was also named the 2004 Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.
Playing just a few yards in front of Sawyer last year, Stewart anchored the Irish defense as a central defender and will continue in that role for 2004. Known throughout collegiate soccer as one of the best defenders in the nation, Stewart excels in the air and is one of the most physical and intense players on the team. The Torrance, Calif., native has moved up from his defensive position to score two goals and dish off two assists in his career.
A list of 15 semifinalists will be announced in November, with three finalists selected in early December. A winner will be announced at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo., on Jan. 8, 2005.
Preseason All-America honors: Notre Dame has landed two preseason All-America honors by College Soccer News.com. The website named GK Chris Sawyer to its preseason All-America first team, while D Jack Stewart was named to the third team.
Notre Dame – Indiana matchup will be shown live on CSTV: College Sports Television will provide live coverage of #11/4 Notre Dame’s matchup with #1/1 Indiana on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT).
CSTV: College Sports Television, the first 24-hour college sports network, televises more college sports than any other network. There are 30 different men’s and women’s college sports televised including both regular season and championship events. CSTV is #1 in college sports.
CSTV is available on Comcast, Time Warner, Adelphia and Insight cable systems, among others, and is also available on DirecTV (channel 610).
Notre Dame picked to finish third in the BIG EAST: Notre Dame has been picked to finish third in the BIG EAST Conference in Indiana 1-0 in overtime at Alumni Field last season). Notre Dame and IU have met 23 times since 1978.
The Irish will face their biggest challenge during the team’s traditional fall break trip through the BIG EAST Conference. Notre Dame will take on #2/2 St. John’s (Oct. 16), #22 Seton Hall (Oct. 20) and Rutgers (Oct. 23) on the road over a seven-day stretch. The Irish will then wrap up their BIG EAST schedule at home on Oct. 30 against #10/5 Connecticut.
Notre Dame is 12-9-3 (.563) against ranked teams under Bobby Clark, including victories over #4 St. John’s (`03), #9 Virginia Tech (`03), #5 Connecticut (`02), #6 Seton Hall (`02), #7 Furman (`02) and #6 Indiana (`01).
Bobby Clark quick biography: Notre Dame head coach Bobby Clark is in his fourth season at Notre Dame. He has led the Irish to at least 12 wins each season and the 2003 BIG EAST Championship. Overall, he is 40-16-7 at Notre Dame (.690) and helped the Irish qualify for the NCAA Championship tournament for an unprecedented third-straight season in `03.
Winning has been synonymous with Clark’s teams where ever he has coached. His Dartmouth teams (1985-93) posted an 82-42-13 (.646) record over nine years and three Ivy League Championships. At Stanford, Clark put up an 82-42-13 (.646) mark in nine years and finished second in the NCAA Championship in 1998.
Overall, Clark has compiled a 193-79-32 collegiate record (.688) and has landed seven teams in the final national rankings.
The Irish established their motto of `Making History’ early in the 2003 season and that goal was achieved in remarkable fashion. Notre Dame earned its highest-ever preseason ranking in 2003 (third in the Soccer America ranking) and highest-ever in-season ranking in both major polls (third in both polls). Notre Dame also earned its first-ever bye in the NCAA Championship and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the third-straight season – another unprecedented achievement.
Please see p. 12-15 of the 2003 Notre Dame men’s soccer media guide for a more detailed historical biography on Clark.
Keep up with the Irish via the Notre Dame hotline: The Notre Dame athletic department hotline has realigned its menu offerings for the 2004 fall sports season.
The hotline provides schedule and results information for varsity sports and serves as a supplement to the live coverage and game recaps already provided on the official athletic website at www.und.com.
Here’s how the hotline is aligned (as of Aug. 28):
*Dial (574) 631-3000
*Select any of the following subgroups:
(1) Upcoming schedule and recent results of ALL varsity sports currently in action (select cells 3-9 for the most updated results for specific sports).
(2) 2004 Football schedule.
(3) Basketball information (then press 1 for men’s basketball and 2 for women’s basketball)
(4) Soccer information (then press 1 for men’s soccer and 2 for women’s soccer).
(5) Women’s volleyball (press 1) and men’s ice hockey (press 2) information.
(6) Men’s and women’s cross country information.
(7) Men’s and women’s swimming and diving information (then press 1 for men’s swimming and 2 for women’s swimming).
(8) Tennis information (then press 1 for men’s tennis and 2 for women’s tennis) and men’s and women’s fencing information (press 3).
(9) Women’s golf (press 1), men’s golf (press 2) and women’s rowing (press 3) information.