Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2023 85 ND SPORTS too many to list in one story. But a few standouts to watch include senior Amita Berthier, the NCAA runner-up last sea- son in foil and a 2021 Tokyo Olympics competitor for Singapore. Senior Mar- cello Olivares returns on the men's side. The Cooper City, Fla., native won the 2021 NCAA individual foil championship. Also back is epee ace Kaylin Sin Yan Hsieh. The Hong Kong native competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and won the individual NCAA title last season. Freshman Eszter Muhari is a new team member to keep an eye on. A women's epee specialist from Budapest, Hun- gary, Muhari was named ACC Fencer of the Week Jan. 25, after posting a 19-2 record at the St. John's Invitational. With the talent, numbers and depth all neatly in place, Notre Dame remains the strong favorite to complete its first- ever national championship three-peat in any sport. "We are definitely in the right spot and we're going in the right direction," Rascioni said. "And what makes a dif- ference is that we have an incredible work ethic. These kids excel in school, and at the same time, they have a full commitment to practice and fencing. "As long as we can keep the spirit up and stay on task, we can win another title." ✦ Irish Roundup Through Feb. 6 HOCKEY (13-14-3 OVERALL, 8-10-2 BIG TEN) Notre Dame split a pair of home games against Alaska Fairbanks, losing 3‑2 Dec. 31 and winning 2‑0 Jan. 1 … The Irish fell 2‑0 at Wisconsin Jan. 6 but bounced back for a 6‑4 triumph Jan. 7 … Skated to a 2‑2 tie versus Minnesota Jan. 13 and suffered a 3‑0 loss at the hands of the Gophers Jan. 14 … Split two contests at Penn State Jan. 20‑21, winning 2‑1 and then falling 3‑2 … Swept Wisconsin 5‑3 and 3‑1 Jan. 27‑28 … Lost 3‑0 and 3‑2 at Michigan State Feb. 3‑4. MEN'S FENCING (24-3) The Fighting Irish returned to action in the St. John's Invitational Jan. 21, top‑ ping Penn State (21‑6), Harvard (15‑12) and St. John's (19‑8) while falling to Ohio State (16‑11) and Columbia (15‑12) … Went 4‑1 at the Philadelphia Invitational Jan. 22, beating Yale (18‑9), St. John's (20‑7), Pennsylvania (17‑10) and NYU (17‑10) and losing to only Princeton (16‑11) … Posted a 6‑0 mark at the DeCicco Duals Jan. 28, defeating Wayne State (20‑7), Florida (25‑2), Lawrence (20‑7), De‑ troit Mercy (27‑0), Cleveland State (21‑6) and Denison (27‑0) … Went 6‑0 at the Northwestern Duals Feb. 4, beating UC San Diego (18‑9), Incarnate Word (26‑1), Air Force (21‑6), Boston College (18‑9), Stanford (19‑8) and Lawrence (26‑1) … Will take part in the ACC Championships Feb. 25‑26 in Chestnut Hill, Mass. WOMEN'S FENCING (22-4) Notre Dame notched a 5‑0 record in the St. John's Invitational Jan. 21, knocking off Ohio State (16‑11), Penn State (20‑7), Harvard (24‑3), St. John's (20‑7) and Columbia (15‑12) … Won three of five matches at the Philadelphia Invitational Jan. 22, defeating Princeton (16‑11), St. John's (19‑8) and Penn‑ sylvania (19‑8), while being edged by Yale (14‑13) and Columbia (14‑13) … Posted a 6‑0 mark at the DeCicco Duals Jan. 28, turning back Wayne State (24‑3), Florida (26‑1), Lawrence (25‑2), Detroit Mercy (27‑0), Cleveland State (23‑4) and Denison (27‑0) … Went 4‑2 at the Northwestern Duals Feb. 4, topping Air Force (22‑5), Incarnate Word (19‑8), Lawrence (26‑1) and UC San Diego (24‑3), while losing to Cornell (16‑11) and Northwestern (19‑8) … Will compete at the ACC Championships Feb. 25‑26 in Chestnut Hill, Mass. MEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING (4-1 OVERALL, 1-1 ACC) The No. 23‑ranked Fighting Irish topped Princeton (234‑145) and Navy (208‑119) Jan. 13‑14 in Annapolis, Md. … Placed second in the Tim Welsh Classic Jan. 27 in South Bend … Notre Dame will compete at the ACC Cham‑ pionships Feb. 14‑18 in Greensboro, N.C. WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING HOCKEY (3-2 OVERALL, 1-1 ACC) Notre Dame defeated Navy (279‑74) and fell 188‑165 to Princeton Jan. 13‑14 in Annapolis, Md. … Finished second at the Tim Welsh Classic Jan. 27 in South Bend … The Fighting Irish will take part in the ACC Championships Feb. 14‑18 at Greensboro, N.C. MEN'S TENNIS (5-2 OVERALL, 0-0 ACC) Notre Dame opened its spring schedule with a pair of wins Jan. 13, topping DePaul 7‑0 and IUPUI 6‑1 … On Jan. 15, the Fighting Irish lost 4‑0 in Evanston, Ill., before rebounding with a 5‑0 win at Chicago State … Defeated Western Michigan 4‑3 Jan. 20 … Notched a 4‑2 win over Washington Jan. 27 at Lexing‑ ton, Ky. … Fell 4‑1 at Kentucky Jan. 28. WOMEN'S TENNIS (6-1 OVERALL, 0-0 ACC) The Fighting Irish began spring play with a pair of home victories Jan. 21, topping Michigan State 7‑0 and Butler 6‑1 … Defeated Xavier 7‑0 and UIC 5‑2 at home Jan. 22 … Edged Southern Cal 4‑3 Jan. 27 in Athens, Ga. … Lost 4‑1 at Georgia Jan. 28 … Notched a 4‑3 victory at Illinois Feb. 5. INDOOR TRACK & FIELD The Notre Dame men and women started the new year by competing at the Michigan Invitational (no team scoring) Jan. 14 in Ann Arbor … On Jan. 21, the Irish hosted the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, with the women placing second and the men finishing third … Competed at the Lenny Lyles Invitational Jan. 27‑28 in Louisville, Ky. … Hosted the Meyo Invitational Feb. 3‑4 in South Bend … Both squads will take part in the ACC Champion‑ ships Feb. 23‑25 at Louisville, Ky. The Fighting Irish fencers have a chance to become the first Notre Dame team in any sport to win three straight national championships. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS