It never gets any easier in the Big East conference.
Five days removed from a convincing 3-1 win over then-No. 24 arquette, Georgetown (9-3-0, 2-2-0 Big East) travels to South Bend, Ind. today to take on defending Big East champion Notre Dame (7-4-1, 5-0-0 Big East).
“You never get a break in our conference,” Head Coach Dave Nolan said. “Notre Dame has had some injuries and a tough schedule, and they’re a tremendous team.”
On Sunday, the Hoyas shocked the Golden Eagles, handing them their second loss of the season. Marquette came out firing, recording the first five shots of the game, but Georgetown’s defense kept Marquette out of the back of the net. In the 22nd minute, sophomore forward Toni Marie Hudson scored the first of her two goals to give the Hoyas a 1-0 lead.
In the 53rd minute, junior forward Sara Jordan scored for the fourth time this season to give Georgetown a 2-0 lead and breathing room as they cruised to their ninth win, and by far their biggest one of the season.
“Our offense clicked [on Sunday],” Jordan said. “We took advantage of chances and fed off of each other. It was the first time in a big game where that has happened. It definitely gives us confidence that we can go into a good team’s home field and put up goals.”
The Hoyas’ offense will need to be running on all cylinders today because they will be facing a very strong Irish defensive unit led by Big East preseason defensive player of the year in junior Carrie Dew. In Notre Dame’s current four-game winning streak they have allowed only two goals, outscoring their opponents 14-2.
The Irish offense is led by unanimously selected Big East preseason offensive player of the year, junior forward Kerri Hanks. Hanks has already scored eight goals this season with seven assists. She is accompanied by fellow junior forward Brittany Bock who has scored six goals this season.
“We have to try and make sure they always have people around them, with defensive help coming in with a second defender,” Nolan said about stopping Notre Dame’s high scoring duo. “If we can keep the ball away from them they can’t do anything with it. We have a good offense so that will stop us from being on our heels like we have in previous years.”
Last year the then-top ranked Irish traveled to the Hilltop and won 1-0. Junior defender Carrie Dew scored a goal in the 46th minute for the game winner. In 2004 the Irish were ranked first again and pulled out a 2-1 decision.
While these close contests have showed the Hoyas they can play with the best, it was two embarrassing losses at the hands of Notre Dame in 2005 that motivated them more than any others.
Georgetown lost 6-1 in South Bend and seven days later lost 6-0 in the Big East tournament quarterfinals.
“For all of us it is [a big game],” said Jordan, an Indianapolis native. They’re always a top team. Two years ago we went to Notre Dame and got embarrassed. Especially for the seniors it’s in the back of our minds because we know we’re a good team. We know we can play with them. Especially after this win against Marquette, we know we can beat the best teams.”
Nolan and his team know what is at stake tonight. A win over Notre Dame would most likely put Georgetown in the top 25 rankings, and would send a message not only to the Big East, but to the entire country.
“I fancy our chances going out there though,” the fourth-year coach said. “We typically play well against Notre Dame. Our girls always get up for this game. It should be a good one.”
Georgetown plays at Alumni Field in South Bend, Ind., at 7:30 p.m.