By RICH HIDY
Sports Writer
No. 2 McGlinn will take on No. 6 Pangborn on Sunday in a regular-season rematch with a trip to the finals on the line.
McGlinn senior captain Emily Golden said the Shamrocks (5-1) will be especially focused as the favorites.
"I'm expecting our team to come out fighting for our lives on Sunday," Golden said. "Even though we're a higher seed, we're preparing for this game as if we're the underdogs because Pangborn was our only loss in the regular season. They're a very solid team, but we wholeheartedly believe we are capable of beating them."
Golden said McGlinn made a number of mistakes in its 13-0 loss to Pangborn (4-2) on Sept. 23, lapses which caused the Shamrocks to fall behind in the game.
"Last time we played Pangborn our offense shot us in the foot, and I take full responsibility for that as the [quarterback]," Golden said. "I threw three interceptions and made some really dumb plays that prevented us from scoring any points. If you don't score points, you can't win. It's as simple as that."
The Shamrocks are looking to right the ship and improve from their only loss of the year this time out.
"We're definitely looking for a little redemption," Golden said. "At the end of the day, this is going to be a really great game between two teams who will settle for nothing less than playing in the Stadium."
To arrive at the semifinals, Pangborn (4-2) upset No. 3 Cavanaugh 18-12 on Sunday. Senior captain Colleen Bailey said the Phoxes will need to put forth a strong effort to keep its unexpected playoff run alive.
"We are looking for everyone to give 110 percent and leave it all on the field," Bailey said.
Bailey said Pangborn's game plan is to get off to a fast start.
"We can't let the little mistakes affect us," Bailey said. "We need to come out with our best foot forward from the get-go."
Bailey also said the Phoxes will use their team chemistry to propel them to a win.
"We want to maximize our ability to have each other's backs and to support one another as a team," Bailey said.
Pangborn and McGlinn face off at LaBar Fields at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Contact Rich Hidy at rhidy@nd.edu
Pasquerilla West vs. Walsh
By KIT LOUGHRAN
Sports Writer
With the first round of the playoffs behind them, familiar foes No. 1 Pasquerilla West and No. 4 Walsh are set to square off in the semifinals Sunday.
Both teams are coming off tight victories in Sunday's quarterfinals. Pasquerilla West (7-0) went to overtime against Ryan before escaping with a 19-12 win behind sophomore quarterback Lauren Vidal's touchdown run. Walsh (5-2), meanwhile, managed to secure a close 12-7 victory over Welsh Family.
Walsh senior captain and safety Lauren Dunn said the Wild Women are prepared to take on the Purple Weasels.
"We really know our strengths and weaknesses," Dunn said. "We are going to continue sticking to our game plan."
In the other camp, Pasquerilla West senior captain and defensive lineman Meghan Schmitt said the Purple Weasels are employing a new strategy.
"In practice, we've been seeing a lot of new things about our players," Schmitt said. "We are looking to switch up some of our players' positions to improve our game."
Schmitt said Pasquerilla West plans to switch senior safety Maria Harmon to receiver and sophomore center Colleen Doyle may take snaps at quarterback.
Pasquerilla West and Walsh have met twice already this season, once in a scrimmage and a second time Sept. 25. In the regular season matchup, the Purple Weasels defeated the Wild Women 18-12.
"We have an advantage to already playing each other," Dunn said. "We look to exploit their weaknesses and limit their strengths."
Dunn said Walsh will rely on both strong offense and defense to exact revenge on Pasquerilla West.
"Our game starts with our [senior] quarterback, Kat Leach," Dunn said. "She and her receivers take care of the offensive game plan, and our defense works to stop the other team's ball movement."
Schmitt said the Purple Weasels will look for strong performances from junior offensive lineman Elaine Rousseau and freshman defensive end Katie Ferrara.
Schmitt also said team chemistry has been important so far this season.
"We all get along really well, and wanting to be out on the field and keep practicing has led to great success," Schmitt said.
The Purple Weasels and Wild Women kick off Sunday at 4 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Kit Loughran at kloughr1@nd.edu.
