February 28, 1999

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Notre Dame men's lacrosse team lost their opening contest of the year today 13-8 to Penn State. The game was the first for both teams with the Irish falling to 0-1 and the Nittany Lions moving to 1-0 on the season. The loss marked the first time that Notre Dame had lost to Penn State since a 15-14 loss in 1995.

The game remained close the entire first half with the lead volleying back and forth amongst the teams. Sophomore David Ulrich quickly tied the game at one with his first goal of the season off a pass from senior Chris Dusseau. Dusseau then scored a man-up goal to give the Irish a 2-1 lead. The teams traded goals until Penn State went on a 5-2 run taking a 7-5 lead at halftime.

The two-goal differential was the closest the game would get though, as Penn State held the Irish scoreless until 13:41 of the fourth quarter as Steve Bishko scored an unassisted goal making the score 12-6. Bishko then added a man-up goal as the Irish tried to stage a comeback, which eventually fell short.

David Ulrich (2 goals, 1 assist), Bishko (2 goals, 1 assist), and Todd Ulrich (three assists) led the Irish with three points each, while senior Brad Owen scored two goals.

Notre Dame's next game is Friday, Mar. 5, versus Denver at Moose Krause Stadium.

Score by Quarters   1   2   3   4   F
Notre Dame          3   2   0   3   8
Penn State          4   3   5   1   13

Notre Dame Goals:  Steve Bishko 2, Brad Owen 2, David Ulrich 2,  Chris Dusseau, Chad DeBolt
Assists:  Tood Ulrich 3, Steve Bishko, Chris Dusseau, Tom Glatzel, David Ulrich

Penn State Goals:  John Chescavage 3, Todd Kaiser 3, Ted Holmes 2, Will Driscoll, 
Sean Huss, Randy Kleinman, Don Mayerhofer, Chris Schiller
Assists:  John Chescavage 2, Eric Wood 2, Ted Holmes, Sean Huss,  
Randy Kleinman, Don Mayerhofer, Chris Schiller

            Shots:     Saves:          Faceoffs:          Groundballs:
Notre Dame  30          8              16                 21
Penn State  35         15               8                 30

Notre Dame Goalies:
Kirk Howell (60 minutes, 13 goals against, 8 saves)

Penn State Goalies:
Kevin Keenan (60 minutes, 8 goals against, 15 saves)