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The observer | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
Column
nd men’s basketball | ND 80, WAke Forest 77
So Jack, how ‘bout those jerseys? By AIDAN THOMAS Sports Writer
Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published online March 1. “As those rules are developed, it is our strong desire that student-athletes be allowed to benefit directly from allow ing their name, image and performance histor y to be used in the game”. Brave words, Jack. W hen Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick came out w ith that quote, the news spread like w ildfire — no Notre Dame in the new E A Sports College Football game? One of the biggest brands in college sports taken away? Jokes rolled in — would E A basically ignore it and create some pseudoIrish team? Some keyboard warriors sarcastically suggested using the “South Bend Leprechauns” as a moniker, essentially by passing Notre Dame’s resistance to their use of the logo. A ll of
Irish overcome 15-point deficit to squeeze out win
that is an interesting point, and how the production of the game proceeds remains to be seen, w ith a lot of the details likely to be worked out after the upcoming name, image and likeness (NIL) vote that is expected to make revolutionar y changes as to how collegiate athletes can benefit from their personal brands. But let’s rev isit the brave words from Mr. Swarbrick. To be clear, before I go any further, I think the indiv idual decision was a great move. The NIL vote is a muchneeded change in college sports, as the inabilit y for college athletes to capitalize on personal branding opportunities was ridiculous, and it led to inconsistent rulings from the NCA A on related issues. One such inconsistent ruling was directly related to Notre Dame, when women’s basketball legend and Final Four hero Arike Ogunbowale was permitted to be on see THOMAS PAGE 14
By EMILY DeFAZIO Sports Writer
Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
Irish junior guard Trey Wertz puts up a shot during Notre Dame’s 80-77 win over Wake Forest at Greensboro Coliseum on Monday.
Notre Dame advances to face North Carolina in the ACC tournament after their win against Wake Forest Tuesday night. This follows a buzzer-beater three-point shot by junior guard Trey Wertz to cap off the close game. The game started off rough for the Irish (11-14, 8-11 ACC). After winning the tip-off, Wake Forest (616, 3-15 ACC) dominated the score board, despite Notre Dame gaining the first points of the match. Graduate student forward Juwan Durham saw some action, with the ball usually winding up in his hands for some early points. Junior guard Prentiss Hubb, who is usually a lead scorer for the team, did not make a basket during the first half. Instead, Wertz was the player making the three-point shots, even though they were limited. Though shots went back and forth between the two teams, Wake Forest proved to be more consistent in the first portion of the game. “Every time we’d get it to six, see M BBALL PAGE 15
HoCkey | ND 5, Penn state 2; ND 7, Penn state 1
Notre Dame caps regular season with sweep Observer Staff Report
Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published online March 8.
Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
Irish junior forward Alex Steeves makes a pass during Notre Dame’s 0-3 loss to Minnesota on Feb. 13 at Compton Family Ice Arena.
Nearly three months after their regular season started, Notre Dame (14-12-2, 12-10-2-12-2) finished it in style. The Irish swept the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-11-0, 7-11-0-2-1-0) out of Compton Family Ice Arena with a 5-2 victory on Friday night. They were even better on their senior night Saturday, pulling out a 7-1 offensive explosion to wrap up the regular season. The Irish got off to a bit of a slow start Friday, surrendering the game’s first three shots. They also gave up an early goal to senior defenseman Mason Snell, as a point shot through traffic beat senior goaltender Dylan St. Cyr. But the Irish responded just 1:29 later. A good defensive play by junior forward Alex Steeves led to a great chance the other way. Steeves made a slick move in front of the net before setting
up freshman forward Landon Slaggert backdoor, who tied the game and kept Notre Dame’s top-line red hot. Penn State’s forecheck gave Notre Dame’s defense a real challenge, especially in the first twenty minutes. The Irish managed just seven shots in the first 20 minutes of play. However, they came out guns blazing in the second, registering six shots in less than seven minutes. But just as the Irish started to control play, Penn State broke the tie. Snell jumped up on the play during an excellent Penn State cycle, scoring on a pass that caromed in off an Irish skate. But once again, the Irish responded in short order. Just 93 seconds later, Notre Dame tied the game. Senior forward Pierce Crawford, who took a huge hit early in the contest, made a tremendous pass out of the corner. Senior forward Matt Steeves received it uncovered and ripped a one-timer past Penn State’s goaltender, junior Oskar Autio, for his tenth goal of the season. With the score tied heading
into the third period, the Irish came out and delivered a strong performance. Notre Dame peppered Autio with 16 shots, and though they gave up 14 of their own, St. Cyr was on fire after the early goal, stopping 36 of Penn State’s final 37 shots. St. Cyr’s performance gave Notre Dame’s offense time to find their stride, which they did early in the third. Sophomore forward Max Ellis scored an impressive goal, darting all the way through the neutral zone and into the slot to beat Autio with a wrist shot. A few minutes later, Notre Dame’s third line, which had some tremendous shifts, was finally rewarded for their efforts. Sophomore forward Trevor Janicke was denied on a jam play at the side of the net, only for the rebound to find a wide-open freshman defenseman Zach Plucinski for a tapin to double the lead. Junior defenseman and captain Nick Clurman proved Notre Dame’s defense could find the score see HOCKEY PAGE 14
