SPECIALTY PROTECTION
WOMEN'S PROTECTIVE
Notre Dame opened the game with scores by Peter Christman, Adam Fecilletti and Ryan Hoff, the latter two coming off feeds from Alex Wharton, who netted only one goal today but turned play maker and fed well for four assists, to give the Irish a 3-0 edge by 8:01 in the first. Ohio State answered with the first of their streaks, tallying four goals in four minutes behind a pair by Chris Friel and solo shots from Kevin Buchanan and Joel Dalgarno to give Ohio State the lead 4-3 at 2:23. Grant Krebs took a pass from Pete Christman to even the game up, 4-4 at 1:39, while Buchanan faked and then found Pete Schell at 0:06 to beat Joey Kemp and give OSU a 5-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Mike Podgajny scored at 10:42 for the Irish to tie the game at 5-5 on the first of three extra man conversions for Notre Dame. That unit had been silent for some time but the Irish were working the extra man well in sync as they were 3 of 5 on the day. Ohio State converted one of their three opportunities. Jeff Ryan put Ohio State in the lead again at 9:52 off a Dalgarno feed 6-5. Podgajny scored twice and Duncan Swezey scored off a swing move on the crease to put the Irish up 8-6. Ohio State edged closer off a score by Peet Poillon, 8-7 and Notre Dame used a three goal burst from Neal Hicks, Swezey with a behind the back shot and Wharton to lead 11-7. Notre Dame maintained a two goal lead until midway in the fourth quarter wehn Grant Krebs nailed his second score of the game to make it 14-11 and Notre Dame prevailed 17-12.
The Irish will meet No. 4 Quinnipiac at Seaholm HS in Birmingham Michigan ands the GWLL hosts its first ever conference tournament. No. 3 Ohio State plays No. 4 2 Denver on Friday and the winners of these games will play next Sunday for the automatic qualifier for the Big Dance.
