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.