University of Connecticut Athletics
Notre Dame Knocks Women's Soccer Out of NCAA Tournament
11/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NOTRE DAME, Ind. (Nov. 20) – The University of Connecticut women’s soccer team’s 2004 season came to an end on Saturday night with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of BIG EAST rival Notre Dame. The game, played at Alumni Field on the Notre Dame campus, was the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies complete their season 18-7-1, while Notre Dame continues with a 22-1-1 record.
The Fighting Irish wasted no time, with Candace Chapman registering the first Notre Dame shot on goal in the opening minute. The next big Notre Dame scoring chance came in the 12th minute when a kick by BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Katie Thorlakson that was heading toward the UConn goal was blocked by junior defender Alisse Kosloski (Wernersville, Pa.) and knocked out of bounds.
Twice in the first half, senior forward Jessica Gjertsen (Stony Plain, Alberta), looking for a breakaway chance, had a race up the field with a Irish defender only to have UND keeper Erika Bohn come out of the box and kick the ball away.
Connecticut’s best scoring chance came off a free kick by sophomore Niki Cross (Pembroke, Mass.) that was headed just wide by junior midfielder Kathleen Frank (Lansing, Mich.) at 28:32.
Notre Dame twice nearly got on the board in the closing eight minutes of the first half. With 7:12 remaining, Melissa Tancredi headed the ball toward the UConn goal with keeper Megan Jessee (Orefield, Pa.) drawn out of the net. The ball sailed inches wide of the net to keep the game scoreless. Jannica Tjeder also had a quality UND scoring chance as the minutes ticked down, but the ball hit the right post and went out for the game to head into halftime with the score at 0-0.
In the first 45 minutes, the Irish had a 12-3 advantage in shots. They also tallied five corner kicks while allowing only one to the Huskies. Connecticut was called offsides three times.
As the second half started, so did the rain and it continued at various strengths throughout the period. Notre Dame continued to pepper Jessee with shots, but could not get anything through until 65:34. Jessee was pulled out of the net to try and play the ball as UND’s Ashley Jones crossed up to Candace Chapman, who headed it over Jessee. The UConn defense tried to deflect the ball away, but could not get to it before it went in to give the Irish a 1-0 lead.
The Notre Dame defense completely shut down Connecticut in the second half. From 39:37 until 74:14 they did not allow a Husky shot. Senior forward Kristen Graczyk (Albuquerque, N.M.) snapped the streak with 16:46 left, but it was the only shot UConn would take in the second half.
The Irish increased their lead to two on a penalty kick at 81:43 rewarded on a foul by Kosloski. Thorlakson tucked the ball just under the center of the cross bar the move the game to 2-0, where it would remain final.
Overall, Notre Dame had a 24-4 advantage in shots, registering 10 on goal to UConn’s two. The Irish also tallied nine corners while allowing just one to the Huskies. UND registered 13 fouls, while UConn had 12. Jessee played solidly in net, with eight saves on the night.
Notre Dame 2, Connecticut 0
Connecticut 0 0 - 0
Notre Dame 0 2 - 2
Scoring
1st Half – None.
2nd Half – UND Candace Chapman (Ashley Jones), 72:44; UND Katie Thorlakson (Penalty Kick), 81:43.
Shots – UND 24, UC 4
Saves – UND Erika Bohn 2 (90:00); UC Megan Jessee 8 (90:00).
Corner Kicks – UND 9, UC 1
Fouls – UND 13, UC 12
Offsides – UND 4, UC 3
YC – UND Kim Lorenzen (72:44); UC Zahra Jalalian (81:44).
