By Kit Loughran
Sports Writer
Ryan will put its playoff hopes on the line when it faces Pasquerilla East on Sunday.
The Wildcats (3-2) hope the momentum from their last game, a 20-6 victory over Lewis on Oct. 7, carries over into their matchup against the Pyros (1-3-1).
"We are looking to use this game to prepare for the playoffs and ensure our playoff position," Ryan senior captain and quarterback Maya Pillai said.
The Wildcats have seen steady progression on defense throughout the season, as they have consistently shut down their opponents.
Ryan's offensive strategy has developed alongside its defensive strategy, which has created a balanced team dynamic and improved execution all-around, Pillai said.
"Our team has a well-balanced attack on running and passing, and we want to limit big yardage gains," Pillai said.
Though they are not playoff eligible, the Pyros continue to practice hard and will be ready to play Sunday, senior captain and cornerback Anna Perino said.
"We have been working on stepping up our defense and stringing together effective plays to score touchdowns," Perino said.
Pasquerilla East has seen improvement on both sides of the ball this season. The Pyros' offense and defense combined to secure the team's first victory, a 22-7 win over Farley, on Oct. 7..
"We had a rocky start," Perino said. "We have definitely solidified as the season has progressed."
The Wildcats and Pyros will battle Sunday at 4 p.m. at LaBar Fields
Contact Kit Loughran at kloughr1@nd.edu
Pasquerilla West-Lyons
By D.H. KIM
Sports Writer
Pasquerilla West will look to finish the regular season undefeated when it faces Lyons on Sunday..
The Purple Weasels (5-0) have found success by keeping a solid balance on both sides of the ball. Pasquerilla West has also received strong contributions from senior captain and defensive end Meghan Schmitt and senior wide receiver Kirsten Danna. Sophomore quarterback Lauren Vidal, a first-year starter, has been a key element to Pasquerilla West's victories over several formidable teams, including Cavanaugh and McGlinn, Schmitt said.
"[Vidal] has obviously done a lot, but we don't want to be too excited," she said. "We want to keep our head in the remaining game against Lyons and the playoffs."
Lyons (1-4) has struggled during the season, as the team is currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak. The Lyonites were shut out in their most recent game, a 13-0 loss to Walsh, on Oct. 8. Junior captain and cornerback Christina Bramanti, a key contributor to the Lyonites' defense, said the team is still in rebuilding mode and has many young players.
"We just need to be more united as a team, and that's been hard with so many new faces on the team," Bramanti said.
The Purple Weasels will look to head into the playoffs undefeated, while Lyons will look to play the role of spoiler when the two teams meet Sunday at 6 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact D.H. Kim at dkim16@nd.edu
Pangborn-Lewis
By SAMANTHA ZUBA
Sports Writer
Pangborn and Lewis will look to punctuate their respective seasons with a win when they meet Sunday in the last regular season game for both sides.
For the Phoxes (4-1) the game is a final tune-up before the playoffs. Pangborn has not played since Oct. 1, but senior captain Colleen Bailey said the Phoxes have stayed focused on their ultimate objective of playing for the championship in Notre Dame Stadium.
"Coming off a break is hard," Bailey said. "The end goal is playing in the Stadium, so we're going to use that to keep people focused and motivated."
Although the Phoxes have already clinched a playoff spot, Bailey said Sunday's game is important for her team.
"We want to have a strong victory that will make us a team to fear coming into the playoffs," Bailey said.
Lewis (1-3-1) cannot make the playoffs, but senior captain Connaught Blood said the Chicks will play hard on Sunday.
"In our last game, we want to end the season on a high note and have a lot of fun," Blood said. "We're going to take everything we've come so close to doing in all the other games and put it together."
Blood said Lewis could make a statement next year, as the team has gained some critical experience from this season.
"I know our running back [junior Colleen Haller] is looking for all the really great freshmen athletes to come back and use what they've learned this year," Blood said.
The Phoxes and Chicks close out their regular seasons when they meet Sunday at 4 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Samantha Zuba at szuba@nd.edu
Farley-McGlinn
By LESLEY STEVENSON
Sports Writer
In its last chance for a victory this season Farley will look to top a playoff-bound McGlinn squad when the two teams meet Sunday..
Both teams head into the matchup with their respective postseason futures secured. The Finest (0-4) know this is their last game of the season, while the Shamrocks (4-1) clinched a playoff spot with a 14-6 victory over Welsh Family on Oct. 7.
Nevertheless, Farley senior captain JonelleShudick expressed pride for the young Farley group, which includes only three seniors.
"Most of the time, we outplay the other team, but it'll be a long touchdown they get or something like that that'll tip the scales," Shudick said. "We've outplayed people, and we've done really well for having such a young team."
Shudick said the Finest will be motivated to win Sunday not just to capture their first victory.
"We know the coaches on the other team, so we really want to beat them," she said.
McGlinn takes Farley's threat seriously, senior captain Emily Golden said.
"We know that they're probably going to do everything that they can to get one win before the season is over," she said. "We're expecting them to come out with their A-game."
The Shamrocks' only loss this season came against Pangborn, but Golden said McGlinn's two wins after that defeat, especially the team's victory over Welsh Family, have helped the team gain momentum for the upcoming playoffs.
"We're very confident," she said. "We believe that we can beat anybody that we play."
McGlinn and Farley will try to cap off their respective regular seasons with a win when the teams meet Sunday at 5 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Lesley Stevenson at lsteven1@nd.edu.
Howard-Breen-Phillips
By KYLE FOLEY
Sports Writer
Sunday's contest between Howard and Breen-Phillips may not have playoff implications but both teams will take the field fighting for pride. With each team having recorded one win this season, both the Ducks (1-5) and the Babes (1-4) will look to go out with a victory.
Coming off fall break, the Ducks will look to hit the pond swimming and have a strong showing in their final game.
"I think we'll have a little bit of a bounce in our step after break," Howard graduate student coach Dan Scheper said, "It's been a little tough this season, but we want to cap it off strong with a victory."
The Ducks will square off against a Babes team that put up a hearty fight against Pasquerilla West and intends to show the same intensity against Howard..
"In our game against Pasquerilla West, which is arguably the best team, we played well," junior captain Molly Toner said, "We are trying to build on that game."
Toner said Breen-Phillips is ready to pull all the cards in order to assure a victory,
"We have been working [on] making big plays late in the game," Toner said.
Though the game does not have playoff implications, Scheper said the Ducks are treating this game as if it were their first.
"I don't really know much about Breen-Phillips, but we definitely won't take them lightly," Scheper said.
The Ducks and Babes will look to shake off their losing records this year and focus on getting a win when the two teams meet Sunday at 6 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Kyle Foley at kfoley2@nd.edu
Badin vs. Cavanaugh
By MEG HANDELMAN
Sports Writer
Badin and Cavanaugh will go head-to-head to compete for one last regular season win when the two teams meet Sunday.
Badin (2-3) senior captain TommasinaDomel said she plans to utilize her team's strong defensive line in its game plan against Cavanaugh (4-1). Domel said she is confident the Bullfrogs' defense has the skills necessary to pull off the team's third win of the season.
"Our defense is consistently strong, and we will continue to rely on them," Domel said. "We are a defense-centered team."
Still, Domel said she is confident the offense, led by fifth-year senior Carli Fernandez at quarterback, can contribute strongly this Sunday.
"We have been practicing and working on our offense in preparation for our game, and will continue to do so going forward into playoff season," Domel said.
Chaos senior captain Rosemary Kelly said she hopes to maintain focus during practice and work to keep the players upbeat and enthusiastic as the team takes its final step toward the playoffs. Success for Cavanaugh begins up front, she said.
"Our defensive lines have been consistently dependable and explosive this season," Kelly said.
Kelly said senior Kelly Brakora and sophomore Caroline Gerstle have been forces on Cavanaugh's offensive line. Additionally, Kelly said she has been impressed by the efforts of junior Julie Cleveland and senior Christina Buchanan on the defensive side..
"I'm intimidated by them during every practice," Kelly said.
Kelly not only credits the hard work of her team, but also the efforts of dedicated coaches who have helped the team garner its impressive record this season.
"To secure a championship, you have to make it there," she said. "Now is the time to win it all."
The Bullfrogs and the Chaos will close out the regular season Sunday at 5 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Meg Handelman at mhandelm@nd.edu
