The women's soccer team will look to complete the fourth undefeated regular season in program history this afternoon when they take on Michigan at 4 p.m. at Alumni Field. The Irish, who now have shut out their last 10 opponents, will look to make it 11 against the Wolverines, who have struggled after opening the season ranked in the top 25.
The Irish will be looking to finish strong in their final game before beginning the conference tournament and will be looking to collect coach Randy Waldrum's 200th win as a Division I women's soccer coach.
"Winning tomorrow would be almost a picture perfect ending," said senior forward Amy Warner. "The only things left would be to get the Big East Championship and national championship."
It also will be the last regular season home game for Irish seniors Warner, Vanessa Pruzinsky, Kim Carpenter and Amanda Guertin, although the team could play as many as five more games at Alumni Field during postseason play.
The Wolverines, who stand at 6-6-6 on the season, will look to spoil all of that for the Irish by trying to earn their first win over Notre Dame in ten meetings between the schools. In last season's contest, Notre Dame traveled to Ann Arbor and upset the No. 13 Wolverines 1-0 on a goal from Guertin.
In addition to their 10-game shutout streak, already a team record, the Irish will set another if they are able to hold Michigan under two goals. It would be the 25th straight opponent to fail to score multiple goals against the Irish, going back to last year's loss to BYU. The 2000 team currently shares the record of 24.
The Irish have also been proficient offensively. Since allowing a goal to Santa Clara in late September, the Irish have outscored their opponents 36-1, including 26-0 during the current shutout streak.
Warner, who scored both goals against Seton Hall Sunday, now leads the Irish with 30 points on 10 goals and 10 assists. Junior Mary Boland leads the Irish with 12 goals, while adding four assists, while sophomore Katie Thorlakson's recent surge has earned her 25 points on eight goals and nine assists.
Guertin has nine goals and six assists for 24 points on the season. All told, nine Irish players have at least 10 points on the season.
While the Irish seniors hope their final game does not come until Dec. 7 in the national championship game, this afternoon's game does provide them with a chance before they begin another postseason to reflect back on their time in the Irish uniform.
"You can't describe in words the experience and memories that have been created over the past few years," said Warner. "The frustrations and joys have been amazing."
