Notre Dame Fighting Irish
ACC
This should be the year Notre Dame makes it back to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2007. During their first year in the conference, he Fighting Irish finished tied atop the ACC regular season standings with Maryland. With the success in the brutal ACC and non-conference contests against squads like UCLA, Indiana, Northwestern and Michigan State, few teams are as prepared for the tournament as Bobby Clark and company.
2013 Record: 12-1-6
Coach: Bobby Clark
Good Results: 9/13 at Syracuse (3-0), 11/5 at Michigan State (2-0)
Bad Results: 9/21 at Boston College (1-1), 10/26 Virginia (0-2)
Why They Can Surprise:
This is a tough team to score against. The defense is experienced and talented. Senior back Grant Van De Casteele has started every single game during his Notre Dame career. Luke Mishu is a quality right back and Andrew O’Malley is yet another senior back who has been a starter for at least two years. On those rare occasions when the opposition does get a shot off, Patrick Wall usually stops it. The senior goalie stepped into a full-time starting role this year and has done an amazing job. He has allowed just 14 goals in 19 contests and recorded eight shutouts. On the year, Notre Dame allowed more than one just once all season long before their 3-3 draw with Virginia in the ACC semifinals .
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Irish offense is not bad by any means and the team was only shut out twice during the 2013 campaign. Harrison Shipp is among the best strikers in the nation, totaling nine goals and eight assists on the year. Vince Cicciarelli and Leon Brown are capable of finding the back of the net as well. However, if Notre Dame is going to lose in the NCAA Tournament, it will likely be because of the offense. Notre Dame will allow the opposition to stay in some games and they usually must rely on Shipp to make something happen.
Key Strikers:
Harrison Shipp, Senior, 9 goals, 8 assists
Vince Cicciarelli, Junior, 5 goals, 1 assist
Leon Brown, Senior, 4 goals, 3 assists
Key Midfielders:
Patrick Hodan, Sophomore, 6 goals, 5 assists
Evan Panken, Sophomore, 3 goals, 1 assist
Key Defenders:
Max Lachowecki, Junior, 3 goals, 1 assist
Andrew O’Malley, Senior, 2 goals, 0 assists
Key Goalkeepers:
Patrick Wall, Senior, 0.69 goals against average, .803 save percentage, 8 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.71 (33rd in nation, 4th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.61 (8, 2)
Shutout Percentage: 0.41 (40, 6)
Save Percentage: 0.831 (17, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 Second Round Defeated Michigan State
2012 Third Round Lost to Indiana
2010 Second Round Lost to Dartmouth
2009 First Round Defeated Green Bay
2009 Second Round Lost to Northwestern
2008 Second Round Lost to Northwestern
2007 Second Round Defeated Oakland
2007 Third Round Defeated Santa Clara
2007 Quarterfinals Lost to Wake Forest
2006 Second Round Defeated Illinois-Chicago
2006 Third Round Defeated Maryland
2006 Quarterfinals Lost to Virginia
2005 First Round Defeated Western Illinois
2005 Second Round Defeated Indiana
2005 Third Round Lost to Clemson
2004 Second Round Lost to Ohio State
2003 First Round Defeated Milwaukee
2003 Second Round Lost to Michigan
*all team stats through 11/10
See All Men’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
