Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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8 NOV. 14, 2016 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Kaela Little has been a staple at goalie for the Irish since 2013 when she stepped on campus and started all 22 games as a true freshman. As a senior this season, Little allowed only seven goals in the team's first 19 games and was a key factor in helping secure the program's first regular-season ACC championship. BGI: What was going through your mind when you real- ized the team had won its first regular-season ACC title in program history? Little: "That night we had to win, and a couple of games had to go out our way. We were lucky enough to get those results. I think I was one of the first few to find out. I was running like a chicken with my head cut off. "It was an explosion of cheering, laughing and a lot of happiness because we felt like over the course of the season we worked our butts off to get where we are. It was really validating to win that regular-season title." BGI: As a senior, what does it mean to you to bring this title to the program? Little: "I'm very, very proud, and I think I can speak for the rest of the senior class. We were part of the first team in any sport to win an ACC game, and now to be part of the first team in the women's soccer program to win that ACC championship is really special." BGI: Many would say goalie is the most important position on the field — is there any added pressure going into each game given the spot you occupy? Little: "I used to put my pressure on myself when I was younger, but now I just go out there and enjoy the moment and play freely. When you do put pressure on yourself you aren't able to reach your full potential. "As a senior going into these last games we have left, it's just remembering you're doing this because you love it and to remember to have fun." BGI: You've given up seven goals in 19 games — what's been the key for you to be so dominant in the goal this season? Little: "I definitely think having three years of experi- ence under my belt has helped me in my maturity on the field and my overall consistency as player. "But, also having 10 people in front of me and the four in the backline to do everything they can to keep that clean sheet. It's been a real team effort." BGI: What does the team need to work on as postseason play rolls on? Little: "Maybe our ability to keep the ball a little more. We've gone through flows and ebbs of that this season. But, moving forward, our ability to keep the ball is going to help us keep winning games. We're really hitting our stride right now and looking forward to the next games." — Corey Bodden Five Questions With … SENIOR WOMEN'S SOCCER GOALIE KAELA LITTLE It's A Good Idea That Has Run Its Course By Lou Somogyi Like many other Notre Dame faithful, I warmed to the idea of the Sham- rock Series, which was the brainchild of former director of athletics Kevin White (2000-08). It commenced in 2009 by meeting Washington State in San Antonio. Now, eight seasons later the Fighting Irish are back in San Antonio to face Army in the eighth annual Shamrock Series before a one- year hiatus in 2017 because of the Crossroads opening at Notre Dame. Perhaps it is time for an even longer break from this series. There is much to work out in the logistics of this, and the matchups haven't always been the most attractive in recent years, including Army this season, 3-9 Boston College last year in Fenway Park (instead of at home) and a floundering Purdue team in Indianapolis (instead of at home) in 2014. Yeah, Fenway's cool, but was it worth relinquishing a home game and traveling to the East Coast before then going to the West Coast the next week to play Stanford with a potential College Football Playoff spot on the line? Does the residual effect take its toll? Look at the top 10 at the start of November: Alabama, Clemson, Washington, Ohio State, Texas A&M … all have seven home games. Michigan and Nebraska have eight. Wisconsin had six, plus LSU at nearby Lambeau Field. Notre Dame stays with six. The Shamrock Series uniforms can be worn once a year at home just as easily. Just win and Notre Dame's "brand" will always be there without having another extra game to travel. It Is Both Beneficial And Fun By Bryan Driskell The Shamrock Series has certainly not provided viewers with a number of intriguing matchups. Outside of the 37-34 Notre Dame victory over Arizona State in 2013 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the majority of the games have been solid Notre Dame victories. However, success for that series should not be based solely on the quality of the game. There are a number of excellent benefits to the Shamrock Series for the players, the program and the fans. Notre Dame's players have been able to play games in some tremendous venues, such as the home of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs; the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears; and MLB's New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Playing in Fenway Park last season did not provide a great matchup, but it provided players, coaches, fans and media alike with a tremendous experience that will not be forgotten. Playing catch in left field in the same area where Hall of Famer Ted Williams used to roam is certainly a memory this writer will never forget. There are recruiting advantages for the program. By the time this year's Shamrock Series game is com- pleted, Notre Dame will have played three games in Texas, one of the nation's most fertile recruiting grounds. It played in northern Virginia, another area Notre Dame is trying to build a recruiting foothold. In addition, Notre Dame's special uniforms for these games are popular with players and recruits. Moving forward, changes could be made to generate better matchups, but the idea of the Shamrock Series is excellent and should stay. Point ✦ Counterpoint: IS THE SHAMROCK SERIES A POSITIVE FOR NOTRE DAME'S FOOTBALL TEAM? Little allowed just seven goals in Notre Dame's first 19 games this season. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS Notre Dame eked out a 19-16 win in last year's Shamrock Series game against Boston College. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA