White House ends Irish season

Friday, January 1, 1904

Class A/AA state quarterfinals

WHITE HOUSE 2, NOTRE DAME 1Halftime score: 1-1. Goals: Luis Vital, Austin Thomas (WH); Baggio Card (ND). Assist: Vital (WH). Shots: White House, 19-13. Saves: Tim Barnes 12 (ND); Mattie Howard 8 (WH). Records: White House 22-2-1; Notre Dame 9-9-2.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- During its run to the Class A/AA state tournament, the Notre Dame boys' soccer team specialized in countering the attacks of its opponents while creating some of its own.

The Irish's opponent in the quarterfinals of the BlueCross Spring Fling state tournament, White House, refused to give them that chance.

The Blue Devils advanced to the state semifinals with a 2-1 win Tuesday over the Irish at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, ending Notre Dame's season at 9-9-2.

Baggio Card put the Irish on the board in the 15th minute, but Luis Vital scored the equalizer right before the half.

"We didn't panic when we got down," White House coach Mark Lamberth said. "We played the toughest schedule we've ever played this season, and learned different styles to play against."

Vital was involved in the team's go-ahead score, feeding Austin Thomas in the 55th minute. Even though the Blue Devils changed their formation from that point to limit the Notre Dame attack, they were still able to create some opportunities in the final minutes. The Irish were unable to do the same -- even with an all-out effort.

"We knew it would be a tough game. White House is a tough team," Irish coach Jim Schermerhorn said. "We lost in the midfield a bit, then had some possessions break down and weren't able to create the chances we needed."

They entered the postseason with three regular-season wins but went 6-0 to qualify.

"We had a good run," Schermerhorn said. "You hate the day the season ends, but we had a great group that made great strides from the beginning of the season to now.

"There's nothing negative about today."