NOTRE DAME (23-1-1) vs. SANTA CLARA (18-4-2)
Kickoff: Friday, Dec. 3, 4:30 pm ET in Cary, N.C.
STORYLINE
After North Carolina, Santa Clara and Notre Dame have been the most successful programs in women's college soccer over the last decade. Since '94, only UNC (10) has made more NCAA final four appearances than Santa Clara (8) and Notre Dame (7).
Notre Dame beat Santa Clara, 5-2, in September. The Irish broke open a 2-2 game with three goals in the final 10 minutes. They lead the series with a 6-3-0 record against the Broncos and have won both meetings in the NCAA Tournament.
STARS
KATIE THORLAKSON: Notre Dame junior Katie Thorlakson is the leading candidate for College Player of the Year honors. She has scored or assisted on 22 of the Irish's last 26 goals and leads the country with 22 goals and 23 assists for 67 points. She also scored or assisted on all 7 of Notre Dame's goals in its last two meetings with Santa Clara.
MELISSA TANCREDI: Fifth-year senior recovered from ACL knee injury in 2000 to become dominant collegiate defender as well as a Canadian international after 2003 season. She was converted from a forward to center back in 2002 and became an All-American in 2003. She missed 2003 postseason after being injured, and the Irish exited in the second round.
LESLIE OSBORNE: The 2004 WCC Defensive Player of the Year was one of five Santa Clara seniors to start on its 2001 NCAA championship team. She scored a sensational goal in the Broncos' 3-2 win over Florida in the 2001 semifinals.
NOTRE DAME PROBABLES
GOALIE
1 Erika Bohn JR Brookfield, CT
DEFENDERS
4 Kim Lorenzen SO Naperville, IL
2 Gudrun Gunnarsdottir SR Iceland
17 Melissa Tancredi SR Canada
18 Christie Shaner SO Ambler, PA
MIDFIELDERS
9 Jen Buczkowski SO Elk Grove, IL
11 Annie Schefter JR Yakima, WA
24 Jill Krivacek SO Geneva, IL
FORWARDS
8 Candace Chapman SR Canada
5 Amanda Cinalli FR Maple Heights, OH
7 Katie Thorlakson JR Canada
KEY RESERVES
3 Jannica Tjeder FR Finland
12 Ashley Jones FR Westlake Village, CA
13 Maggie Manning JR Lake Oswego, OR
15 Lizzie Reed SO Franklin Lakes, NJ
SANTA CLARA PROBABLES
GOALIE
1 Julie Ryder SO DeKalb, IL
DEFENDERS
5 Micaela Esquivel JR Albuquerque, NM
7 Marian Dalmy SO Lakewood, CO
9 Lana Bowen SR San Jose, CA
20 Catherine Sigler JR Windsor, CA
MIDFIELDERS
3 Brittany Klein FR Arcadia, CA
10 Leslie Osborne SR Menomonee Falls, WI
18 Jordan Angeli FR Lakewood, CO
FORWARDS
2 Megan Kakadelas SR Carlsbad, CA
6 Tina Estrada SO Fremont, CA
14 Bree Horvath SR Danville, CA
KEY RESERVES
12 Lauren Zealear SO Nevada City, CA
13 Tiffany Roberts SO Phoenix, AZ
16 Elyse Shelger SO Sugarland, TX
19 Meagan Snell FR Arroyo Grande, CA