Sept. 1, 2000
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – First-year head coach Chris Apple was successful in his debut as head coach of the Notre Dame men’s soccer team as the Irish earned a 2-0 victory over New Mexico in opening round action of the UNLV Fila/Snickers Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.
Notre Dame scored once in each half as the Irish posted a shutout in the season opener for the second consecutive year. Apple’s squad picked up the victory despite not having the services of sophomore Erich Braun (Frankfurt, Germany) who did not make the trip because of a hamstring injury.
Senior midfielder Griffin Howard (San Diego, Calif.), who made the first start of his collegiate career, scored his first career goal off a penalty kick 17:53 into the contest. Howard, who had played in just seven games in heading into this season, saw action in just two contests a year ago and missed the entire 1998 campaign with an injury.
Freshman Devon Prescod (Marietta, Ga.) sealed the win for the Irish with an unassisted goal with 10:06 remaining in the contest for his first collegiate score.
Three freshman – Justin Detter (White Lake, Mich.), Greg Martin (Plano, Texas) and Chad Riley (Houston, Texas) – were in the starting lineup for the Irish, while three other rookies also saw action.
Sophomore goalkeeper Greg Tait (Fayetteville, N.Y.), who played in just three games last season and logged just 37:30 minutes, had five saves in his first collegiate start. Notre Dame, which was playing New Mexico for the first time in school history, outshot the Lobos 10-8 in the game.
Notre Dame returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 3 when the Irish face host UNLV at 12:00 p.m. (local time).
Notre Dame (1-0-0) 1 1 - 2New Mexico (0-1-0) 0 0 - 0
SCORING: Notre Dame: Griffin Howard,17:53, Notre Dame: Devon Prescod, 79:54, SHOTS: Notre Dame 10, New Mexico 8, CORNER KICKS: Notre Dame 2, New Mexico 1, FOULS: Notre Dame 24, New Mexico 15, GOALIE SAVES: Notre Dame 5 (Greg Tait – 5), New Mexico 5 (Chris Mansfield – 3, Team – 2)