CARY, N.C — Notre Dame improved to 43-0-2 all time when junior forward Melissa Henderson is credited with a goal or assist. Henderson took a clearance from senior goaltender Nikki Weiss, used a nifty move to get by her defender, and dribbled to the end line before crossing the ball for freshman forward Adriana Leon.
"I actually intended it for [senior forward Rose Augustin,]" Henderson said. "I saw [Leon] was coming in from the back side. She made a great run."
Success in Cary
Irish coach Randy Waldrum earned his second national championship at Notre Dame in his 300th game as the head coach of the Irish. Waldrum first won the College Cup in 2004.
"They don't get old," he said. "I can say that now that I've won two."
The 2004 Cup was also held in Cary, as were the 2006, 2008, and 2010 editions of the Cup. Notre Dame has appeared in every College Cup held in Cary. The first, in 2004, ended with a national championship, and in both 2006 and 2008 the Irish fell 2-1 to North Carolina in the championship match.
Irish awards
Notre Dame dominated the tournament awards, taking home more than half of the available hardware. Leon, freshman midfielder Mandy Laddish, junior midfielder Courtney Barg and senior forward Rose Augustin were all named to the all-tournament team. In addition, junior defender Jessica Schuveiller was named most valuable defensive player and junior forward Melissa Henderson was named most valuable offensive player.
Streak snappers
The Irish victory over Stanford snapped a number of notable Cardinal streaks. Notre Dame handed Stanford its first loss in 25 games and stopped a streak of 21 consecutive victories. In addition, Stanford freshman goalkeeper Emily Oliver lost her first game as a collegiate starter, bringing her collegiate record to 19-1-0. In addition, Stanford had previously trailed in any game only twice, and it had come back to win both games on the strength of goals by Christine Press, the nation's leading scorer. It was also the first time Stanford had been shut out all season.
Besting Press
The championship game featured two of the nation's best players, both presumptive Hermann Trophy contenders in Press and Henderson. Press led the nation in goals, with 26, and Henderson was fourth in the country with 17. On the final day of the season, however, Henderson outplayed Press.
"It's interesting to get a matchup of two of the top players in the country," Waldrum said. "My vote for the Hermann's going to Mel."
Rising in the records
With this season's appearance in the College Cup, Notre Dame inched closer to the Carolina stranglehold atop the record books. The Irish are now in sole possession of second place in a number of College Cup records, moving clear of George Mason in Cup winning percentage (.550) and clear of Portland in Cup Titles (3). In addition, Waldrum is now tied for third in all-time College Cup appearances (8) and consecutive College Cup appearances (5). Notre Dame, though in second place, is still far behind the Tar Heels thanks to UNC's 21-year streak of dominance in the College Cup. North Carolina holds the record in College Cup appearances (25), consecutive appearances (22), wins (43), winning percentage (.895) and cup titles (20).
