After a summer of training and relaxing as well as a pre-season of practices and scrimmages, the Notre Dame fall sports campaign got underway this past week with all three teams competing for the first time.
Cross-Country- The Notre Dame cross country team opened its season with a ninth place finish at the Blue Dragon Invitational on Friday, Sept. 7. This was an improvement from their 16th-place showing in 2017. Oliver Shannon led the way for the Green Knights. He finished 25th overall in a time of 17:52.24. Notre Dame’s second runner was Anthony Bruno, who crossed the finish line in 18:36.94 good enough for 40th overall among the 119 runners who competed. As a team, the varsity averaged a finishing time of 18:41. They return to racing hosting Amity and Xavier in their annual “home” meet at Hamden Town Park.
Football — The Notre Dame football team fell 41-20 in its season opener at Fairfield Prep. First-year quarterback Jackson Zalinsky led the Green Knights offensive charge in the fourth quarter. Zalinsky led three scoring drives and rallied the Green Knights within 34-20 at one point. Zalinsky connected with Zack Hochman on a 75-yard pass and Tommy Candelora on a five-yard scoring strike while Zalinsky also ran for a five-yard score. Notre Dame returns to action hosting New London on Friday. The game will kickoff at 7:30 at Jonathan Law HS in Milford. Veterans Field is getting a facelift of new artificial turf and it’s not ready yet.
Soccer — West Haven’s Alda Barragan scored with just over two minutes left to break a 2-2 tie and lift West Haven to a 3-2 win in the coaching debut of Chris Ciuca as ND soccer boss. Nicholas Vitti tallied both goals for the Green Knights, who had leads of 1-0 and 2-1, only to see West Haven answer each time. Notre Dame goalie Jay Brennan made several key saves late to keep game tied while defender Christian Fillion kicked a ball out of harm’s way at the last second. Notre Dame plays two games this week traveling to Branford on Tuesday and Cross on Friday.
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