Notre Dame Outlasts Niagara / Soccer Eagle’s game report (great read)

[NewEnglander]

Very encouraging start despite the loss. They were not outplayed, just had an almost 4 minute scoring drought to end the game. Had one or two of those dropped in they may have found a way to win. I think that with time this team will jell because with so many newcomers you can't expect it to be smooth from the beginning. If they played Notre Dame later in the season they would likely beat them. A word of caution here though, Notre Dame was predicted dead last in the ACC.

Preseason ACC poll:

1. Duke (44), 757
2. Miami (5), 693
3. North Carolina (1), 670
4. Virginia (1), 593
5. Clemson, 570
6. Wake Forest, 440
7. NC State, 420
8. Virginia Tech, 390
9. Pitt, 380
10. Syracuse, 321
11. Florida State, 294
12. Boston College, 227
13. Georgia Tech, 157
14. Louisville, 108
15. Notre Dame, 100

[soccereagle81]

Hi Lee: hello to you and Kathy: We were in the second row, right behind the NU bench. I watched the coach/player interaction all game. The communication between players and coaches was excellent. For our first game, everyone was on the same page and communicated well.This was my first game in person since NU at Loyola Chicago that was terrible for NU led by Casey. IMO: we are a quick, guard orientated team. Luke #5 and Henderson #11 were excellent. #4 Baylas was also good.In the first half NU rebounded well, and got out on the break and earned layups and jumpshots inside of 15 feet. Regarding the front court, our big men were outsized however they hit the boards well and played hard. On offense, we play outside in with the big guys setting screens for our guards. We led the entire first half and well into the second half answering a few times when ND went on a run. Unfortunately, at the half ND adjusted and slowed the game dramatically by running a methodical half court set to get inside shots. We had no answer to stop #29, a big time freshman recruit for ND. Honestly, NU was the better team. It sure did not look like our first game with a lot of new players. #11 and #5 are excellent recruits. #11 played a heck of a game both ball handling, driving and shooting. NU shared the ball well and had a lot of ball and player movement. If #29 for ND did not go off for 29 points NU wins.In summary, NU played very quick led by our guards. NU also played with much spirit and hustle. Thinking back on our history following NU hoops, often times we play timid versus the top 25 teams. This NU team was prepared and took it to ND. ND was on their heels in the first half.

[le]

In summary, NU played very quick led by our guards. NU also played with much spirit and hustle. Thinking back on our history following NU hoops, often times we play timid versus the top 25 teams. This NU team was prepared and took it to ND. ND was on their heels in the first half.

Well said John. We played as a team with spirit and hustle !