Sept. 21, 1998

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame junior Jenny Heft scored the only goal the third-ranked Irish womens soccer team would need just 1:15 into their 5-0 win over Villanova on Sunday at Alumni Field. Anne Makinen scored twice, while Monica Gerardo and Jen Grubb added goals as Notre Dame improved to 6-1-0 overall and 4-0-0 in the BIG EAST. Villanova falls to 3-4-0, 1-4-0.

The game marked the third straight game the Irish have struck quickly. Against North Carolina on Sept. 13, Gerardo scored just 55 second into the contest, and Lindsey Jones scored in 56 seconds against Rutgers on Sept. 18.

The Irish return to action when they play host to the Key Bank Classic next weekend at Alumni Field. Notre Dame will play Indiana on Fri., Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. after Missouri and Wake Forest square off at 5:00 p.m. On Sun., Sept. 27, Indiana will play Missouri at 11:00 a.m., while Notre Dame and Wake Forest close out the weekend with a 1:00 p.m. game.

Heft intercepted a goal kick, dribbled into the box and fired a shot into the right corner for a 1-0 lead. Gerardo then scored the 58th goal of her career at 20:41 when Lindsey Jones crossed the ball to Gerardo in front of the net. Villanova goalkeeper Janel Schilling saved Gerardos volley but could not secure the ball as Gerardo knocked in the loose ball for a 2-0 lead. Gerardo needs just three more goals to match Cindy Daws career record of 61.

Grubb put the Irish ahead 3-0 at halftime when her corner kick curved into the net. The ball was caught by Schilling but beyond the goal line, and Grubb was credited with her first goal of the season. Makinen netted goals twice in the second half when she volleyed in a Grubb corner kick at 56:31 and dribbled through the defense and fired into the lower right corner of the net at 63:17.

Notre Dame outshot Villanova 53-2, the most shots the Irish have launched since 53 against Georgetown in 1995, but short of the school record 59 set in 1990 against Indiana University-South Bend. Schilling turned in a strong game in the net, making 25 saves while facing 53 shots.