PDL Feature
Monday, December 16, 2013
Notre Dame claimed its first Men’s Soccer National Championship on Sunday afternoon at PPL Park as Chicago Fire U-23 standout Harrison Shipp was named the College Cup’s Most Outstanding Player after a 2-1 victory against the University of Maryland.
Shipp didn’t find the back of the net in either of the Fighting Irish’s victories, but did provide a pair of crucial assists as he maintained his push for the MAC Hermann Trophy, to be awarded next month. Shipp set up Patrick Hodan for the first of his two goals in a 2-0 victory against the University of New Mexico on Friday night, and then provided the delivery for Andrew O’Malley’s game-winner in Sunday’s final.
Notre Dame had to rally to take victory against Maryland after former New Orleans Jesters standout Patrick Mullins opened the scoring in the 35th minute. The goal was Mullins’ third of the weekend, giving him a nation-leading 19 goals for the season as he attempts to win the Hermann trophy for a second consecutive season.
The Fighting Irish were able to get back on level terms before the halftime break as former Indiana Invader Leon Brown tied the game five minutes after Mullins’ opener. The goal was Brown’s fifth of the season, and it was followed by O’Malley’s at the hour mark as the defender flicked home a header from Shipp’s free kick on the left to give Notre Dame victory.
Mullins had scored twice in Friday’s semifinal to send the Terrapins through with a 2-1 victory against Virginia, but they were challenged by their ACC rival late as Reading United standout Darius Madison earned a penalty kick with 13 minutes to play. Former Fredericksburg Hotspur midfielder Todd Wharton stepped up and converted from the spot, but the Terps were able to hold on against late pressure.
The weekend, however, belonged to the Fighting Irish, and in particular Shipp, who is tipped to become the Fire’s latest Homegrown Player signing after a standout senior season that saw him lead the Irish with 12 goals and 10 assists.