Oct. 29, 2003
Senior forward Justin Detter was named to the Soccer America College Team of the Week on Wednesday, Oct. 29, after leading the University of Notre Dame men’s soccer team (10-3-3, 5-3-1) to a key 2-1 overtime victory at #9 Virginia Tech last Saturday, Oct. 25.
Detter began the scoring in the contest with a goal at 6:40 off a pass from defender Kevin Goldthwaite. After Virginia Tech tied up the contest and the match moved into overtime, Detter broke away from the Hokie defense with the ball. Virginia Tech goalkeeper Chase Harrison came out of the box in an attempt to knock the ball away, but Detter calmly chipped the ball over his head for his eighth goal of the season.
Detter’s eight goals are a career single-season best for the two-time all-BIG EAST performer from White Lake, Mich. The Soccer America team of the week award is the first of his career. He currently leads the team in points with 20 (eight goals, four assists) and has terrorized opposing defenses by unleashing 64 shots this season, including 32 shots on goal. His game-winning goal against the Hokies is his second of the season in overtime, after chalking up the winning tally in Notre Dame’s 2-1 victory over Fresno State earlier this season.
Detter also now has 61 career points, moving him into the top 20 all-time in Notre Dame men’s soccer history.
The victory at Virginia Tech gives the seventh-ranked Irish the ability to lock up home field advantage in the first round of the BIG EAST Championship this Friday with a victory over visiting Villanova. The BIG EAST has proven to be one of the top men’s soccer conferences in the nation this season. As of Oct. 29, Notre Dame joins St. John’s (#5), Virginia Tech (#23), Villanova (#25) and Connecticut (#25) in the NSCAA/adidas top 25. That gives the BIG EAST five teams, the most by any single conference in the nation. Rutgers also has been ranked the top 25 this season.
Notre Dame and Villanova meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Alumni Field.