Oct. 20, 2000

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Erich Braun scored a pair of goals to lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 2-1 victory over the Villanova Wildcats in a Big East game played Friday afternoon at the Villanova Soccer Stadium.

The Irish leaped into the lead in the game's fourth minute off a beautiful set play on a free kick just outside the top of the box. Chad Riley fed Erich Braun who blasted a shot past Wildcats goalkeeper John Williams at the 3:55 mark.

Notre Dame generated several other good chances in the first half. In the game's 20th minute Justin Detter's blast from 20 yards hit the post. It was one of two Notre Dame shots to hit the post in the game's first half. At intermission Notre Dame owned a 13-3 advantage in shots.

In the game's 62nd minute the Irish gave themselves a two goal cushion. This time, Braun took advantage of a Wildcat misplay in the backfield to break in alone on John Williams. Braun slipped a shot past him and it was 2-0. Villanova started two freshmen and a sophomore in the back due to card violations that sidelined All-Big East performer Jim Curtin (red card against Rutgers) and steady Stephen Leaman (accumulation of yellows).

Villanova kept pressing and was rewarded when senior Joe Noonan (Wilmington, Del.) beat Irish goalkeeper Cole Straub at the 79:40 mark on a long blast from just beyond the right side of the box.

Time expired before the Wildcats could come up with the equalizer. Notre Dame improved its record to 6-7-1 overall, 3-5-0 in the Big East while the Wildcats are now 4-7-2 overall, 1-5-2 in Big East competition.