November 13, 2009
INTO THE FINAL
Irish advance in Big East on pks

MORGANTOWN, W.V. – Notre Dame advanced to the Big East Men’s Soccer Championship on penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw against Louisville in the second semifinal game at Dick Dlesk Stadium on the campus of West Virginia University. The Fighting Irish, the No. 2 seed in the Big East Blue Division, took the 4-3 advantage in the shootout over the Cardinals, the top seed in the Red Division.

Notre Dame will meet St. John’s, 2-0 winner over Providence in the night’s first semifinal, in the championship final at Noon on Sunday.

Louisville's best shot of scoring in the half came in the 32nd minute. Junior Mark Knight shot a ball from 10 yards out that was saved. Then a minute later Knight was in front of the goal and sent a shot in while senior goalkeeper Philip Tuttle punched the ball out. Sophomore Colin Rolfe collected the deflection and blasted a shot in that hit the right post.

Notre Dame controlled the tempo to start the second half. The Irish got free on a breakaway and junior Steven Perry slipped the ball past Louisville goalkeeper Andre Boudreaux in the 64th minute but was called offside. In the 70th minute senior Michael Thomas sent a header into the box and Boudreaux came up with the save.

The Cardinals got their first shot at the goal in the 76th minute, but Walker's shot went high. Notre Dame senior Bright Dike sent a shot inside the box a minute later but Boudreaux punched the shot out for the save. The Irish were in position to score on the deflection but the Cardinal defense covered the right post to clear the ball. The Cards had another chance when Walker took a free kick in the 82nd minute and Knight headed the ball just wide.

Neither team was able to find the back of the goal in the second period, ending in a scoreless tie.

The Cardinals started the overtime with a good possession, senior Gerardo Chavez brought the ball to the right side of the net and crossed the ball to Knight who headed the ball just wide. Four minutes later Chavez sent another cross into the box but Tuttle jumped out to grab the ball. Thomas took a shot right in front of the box but sailed it high. Four minutes remaining in the second overtime period Dike had a chance in front of the box but Boudreaux made the diving save.

After another scoreless tie in the second period and the game went to penalty kicks. Notre Dame went first with Thomas and Boudreaux made the save with his foot. Freshman Paolo DelPiccolo stepped up first for the Cardinals and scored. Notre Dame scored on their next four penalty kicks, leaving it up to the Cardinals on the final penalty. Tuttle made the save on the final shot, advancing the Irish to the next round.

Louisville held the slight 16-12 advantage in shots. Boudreaux made three stops in net, while Tuttle made six saves.