Sept. 20, 1998
VILLANOVA, Pa. — Freshman Shane Walton’s (San Diego, Calif.) goal 14 seconds into overtime lifted the 16th-ranked Notre Dame men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory at Villanova. The goal was the sixth of the season in five outings for the Irish and was his second game-winning goal of the 1998 campaign.
Walton’s scored the goal when he gained control of the ball off a Villanova goalkeeper and drilled it from 15 yards out into the left corner of the net past Wildcat goalie Matt Malek.
The win improves Notre Dame’s record to 4-1-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the BIG EAST. This is the third straight overtime game for the Irish. Last Sunday (September 13), the Irish and Pittsburgh played to a 2-2 deadlock at Notre Dame and, just two nights ago in Piscataway, N.J., Coach Mike Berticelli’s squad dropped a 1-0 decision to Rutgers.
Notre Dame came back from a 1-0 deficit to earn its fourth victory of the season. The Wildcats broke a scoreless first-half tie at the 31:35 mark when Dave Fracalangia took the ball in the middle of the field and snuck a shot past Irish goalkeeper Greg Velho from 15 yards for his first goal of the season.
The Irish had eight shot in the first half, but could not capitalize as Malek made five of his nine saves in the first 45-minute stanza.
Villanova’s defense remained tight in the second half, but sophomore Connor LaRose (Claremont, Calif.) was able to knot the game at 1-1 at the 71:24 with his first collegiate goal. The score was set up when Matt McNew (Arlington, Tex.) got the ball off a direct kick and dished it over to LaRose.
Velho finished the game with five saves in the contest.
With the loss, Villanova falls to 1-4 overall and 0-4 in the BIG EAST.
Notre Dame returns to action on Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. when the Irish host nationally-ranked St. John’s.
Scoring Summary: VU: Dave Francalangia – 31:35; ND: Connor LaRose (Matt McNew) – 71:24; ND: Shane Walton – 90:14
Shots: ND 19, VU 17
Corner Kicks: ND 6, VU 9
Goalie Saves: ND 5 (Velho – 5), VU 9 (Malek – 9)
Fouls: NF 13, VU 18