Football — An exciting back-and-forth affair between Notre Dame and Xavier ended up in heartbreak for the Green Knights. Trailing 28-21 with less than 90 seconds left in the game, Notre Dame was poised to tie the game but couldn’t convert a fourth-down conversion inside the Xavier 10-yard line, leading to a Falcon win.
In a see-saw affair, Notre Dame jumped on top 7-0 on a 32-yard pass connection from Jackson Zalinsky to Tommy Candelora. Xavier fumbled on its first play from scrimmage, but Notre Dame couldn’t turn the miscue into points and were forced to punt and pinned the Falcons inside the 10-yard line. Xavier proceeded to drive 93 yards to tie the score on a Drew Kron 5-yard scamper.
The Falcons grabbed a 14-7 lead with 2:50 left in the opening quarter on a DJ White 52-yard run. But the Green Knights answered with an 8-yard slant pass to Robbie Oliverio and the game was tied at 14-14 heading into halftime. The team’s continued to trade touchdowns with Xavier taking the lead at 21-14 on the opening drive of the third quarter. Bryce Sweetapple went untouched from seven yards out and the Falcons led. Notre Dame put a checker on a checker when Candelora and Zalinsky connected on another score and the game was tied at 21-21 with 8:25 left in the third quarter.
Xavier took the lead on a Kron 65-yard scamper with 1:27 left in the third quarter. It would be the final score of the game. The Green Knights return to action traveling to play Fairfield Prep on Friday in a 6 p.m. kickoff
Soccer — Emotions always run high on Senior Night and this year was no different as 11 soccer seniors were honored before the team’s final regular season contest against career on Oct. 28. Thomas Ellis scored a hat trick while fellow senior Chase Socquet played through heartbreak and stole the show by posting a shutout in goal to lead the Notre Dame soccer team to a 4-0 win over Career.
Socquet, playing his second game following the tragic passing of his father last week, made 13 total saves to record a clean sheet between the pipes. He was replaced with five minutes left to an emotional standing ovation from those in attendance, including a spirited Green Machine student section.
Ellis opened the scoring less than 90 seconds into the game and that was the only goal of the first half. Nicholas Vitti doubled the lead before Ellis added two more scores. Notre Dame will have had two weeks off before resuming play in the first round of the Class L state tournament on Monday.
You can get all the latest athletic news, scores, and more by following @NDWHAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope while frieNDing the @NDWHAthletics Facebook group.