Sept. 1, 2002
Omaha, Neb. – The 23rd-ranked Notre Dame men’s soccer battled 19th-ranked Creighton to a 1-1 double overtime tie in the second game of the Diadora Challenge. The game was delayed 30 minutes by lightening in the first half.
Senior Rafael Garcia (Palmdale, Calif.) scored Notre Dame’s lone goal in the contest as he headed in Justin Detter’s (White Lake, Mich.) assist 7:12 into the contest. Damien Westfield tied the game at the 55:53 mark off assists from Matt Thomas and Mehdi Ballouchy.
Notre Dame (1-0-1) won the championship crown by virtue of the tournament’s fourth tiebreaker policy – most goals scored. The Irish tallied four goals during the course of the two games, while Creighton (1-0-1) had just two goals in two games. Notre Dame posted a 3-2 win over Southwest Missouri State on Saturday night and the Blue Jays defeated Oakland 1-0 in their first game.
The Blue Jays outshot the Irish 14-11 in the game, but Notre Dame owned a 3-1 shot advantage in the two overtime sessions. Both teams each had eight corner kicks in the game.
Goalkeeper Chris Sawyer (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) came up with three saves in 110 minutes in the net.
Notre Dame placed four players on the All-Tournament Team – senior Erich Braun (Frankfurt, Germany), who also was named MVP; junior Greg Martin; sophomore Jack Stewart (Torrance, Calif.); and sophomore Luke Boughen (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.).
Notre Dame returns to action on Sat., Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. when the Irish play host to Seton Hall in the home opener at Alumni Field.
SCORING: ND: Rafael Garcia (Justin Detter), 7:12; CU: Damien Westfield (Matt Thomas, Mehdi Ballouchy), 55:53.
GAME STATISTICS: Shots: Notre Dame 11, Creigthon 14; Saves: Notre Dame 3 (Chris Sawyer – 3), Creighton 3 (Mike Gabb – 2); Fouls: Notre Dame 17, Creighton 17; Corner Kicks: Notre Dame 8, Creighton 8
-ND-