April 12, 2008
by Clare Lochary, Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Notre Dame would like to respectfully disagree with the old trope that it's good to be good, but better to be lucky.
The 10th-ranked Fighting Irish didn't beat sixth-ranked Georgetown,
10-8, because they're lucky. They beat them because
they are good.
While Notre Dame's powerful offense has been the focus
of its season, Saturday's victory belonged to the
defense. The Irish smothered the Hoyas' attack in the
first half with faithful man-to-man marking and
well-chosen double teams.
Defenders Becky Ranck and
Rachel Guerrera anchored the team, which committed
just 11 fouls and allowed just three free position shots, none
of which the Hoyas converted.
"We decided it was our turn to win a game," said
goalie Erin Goodman. "This is the point in the season
where our defense is really coming together."
Goodman stopped the few shots that managed to squeak
through the field defense. The junior finished with 15
saves, including one against Patty Piotrowicz in the
final minute that put the breaks on a 5-1 Hoyas run.
"We didn't lose composure," said Guerrera of the
defense's performance during the second half.
Goodman struggled more on clearing (Notre Dame was 8-of-19), but
Georgetown didn't make much of its second chances. The
Hoyas' offense relies on fast cuts and pinpoint passes
to succeed, and the Irish's sagging defense didn't
allow them the room to execute either one.
While
sophomore attacker Molly Ford led all scorers with
three goals and an assist, Notre Dame limited
Georgetown's leading goal scorer, sophomore Ashby Kaestner, to just two
assists.
"I think it had more to do with our shooting than
their defense," said Georgetown coach Ricky Fried,
whose Hoyas fell to 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big
East. Fried said his team looked flat in practice
after upsetting No. 4 Virginia, 8-7, just three days
earlier.
"We have to show up for every game."
By contrast, the Irish's last game, a 16-2 loss
April 9 to top-ranked Northwestern, spurred them to
victory against Georgetown.
"The most important thing for us was to respond to
that [loss]. Mentally, we had to get back on track,"
said Guerrera.
Notre Dame's attack was as surprising as its defense
was steady. While the Hoyas largely contained top
scorers Caitlin McKinney (1g, 1a) and Jillian Byers
(1g), freshman Shaylyn Blaney had a hat trick and
junior Jane Stoeckert came off the bench to add two
goals.
Heather Ferguson also scored twice, and team
assist leader sophomore Gina Scioscia contributed a
goal and two assists.
"People focus on our top three, but I think we can
score from anywhere," said Irish head coach Tracy
Coyne, whose team overtook sole possession of second place in the Big East. The Irish and the Hoyas were previously tied for second behind conference frontrunner Syracuse.
The Hoyas matched their lowest halftime score of the
season, trailing the Irish 5-1. The last one-goal half
came April 5, when Georgetown ultimately lost an
18-3 rout to Syracuse. In both instances, the Hoyas'
opponents were coming off crushing losses to No. 1
Northwestern.
The Wildcats beat the Orange, 19-7, on March 24.
