Things are finally starting to break right for the Irish.
Coming off of a weekend that saw the Irish knock off Loyola, 13-10, No. 13 Notre Dame (7-3) continued its roll on the road in New York, defeating Hofstra 14-13. Tough defense, coach Tracy Coyne said, proved to be the difference.
"We had a huge defensive stop at the end of the game by Rachel Guerrera," Coyne said.
The stop was crucial to the Irish victory, as it turned away the Pride attack as time was winding down. Notre Dame had lost in such a scenario earlier in the season, losing to Oregon on a pair of last-minute goals. This outcome, however, shows that the tide may be turning for the Irish this year.
"That was the turning point of the whole game. It was the Pontiac Game-Changing Performance," said Coyne with a laugh, referring to the popular highlight segment from football season.
The stop was also crucial to offset a slow start for the Irish, something Coyne hopes to avoid in the future.
"I think we need to come out with more intensity," she said. "But I think we played a very good game."
Once again, the Notre Dame offense clicked, notching 14 goals for the eighth time in ten games this season. Junior Jillian Byers led the offensive comeback, scoring all four of her goals in the second half. Freshman Shaylyn Blaney scored two goals, including the game winner with four minutes to play.
The Irish will play their next game on Saturday in Storrs, Conn., against the Connecticut Huskies, with the hopes of extending their two game winning streak.
