Bridget O'Neill registered a hat-trick in Notre Dame's victory over NYU

GRESHAM, Ore.. (May 3, 2008) - Nine University of Notre Dame players scored as the No. 3 ranked Fighting Irish finished their particpation at the 2008 National Collegiate Club Championship with a 19-1 victory over No. 18 New York University.

The win should have advanced Notre Dame into the ninth place game, but due to flight arrangments, the Fighting Irish withdrew from the tournament as they would be unable to participate and make their flight back to South Bend.

Due to this arrangement, New York University, which would have played in the 11th place game, automatically takes over the Irish' spot in the ninth place game at 2:15 on May 4, while Boston College, which downed Texas A&M to apparently tie for 13th place, moves into the Violets former spot in the 11th place game at 3:30 p.m.

Against NYU, Notre Dame dominated the game from the opening sprint to the final horn as the team held a 6-0 lead at halftime and a 10-0 lead following three periods of play before posting nine goals in the fourth for the 18 goal victory.

Leading the Irish was Kelly Horner (Jr., Holland, Mich.) who registered five goals, while Bridget O'Neill (Gr., Danville, Calif.) and Christina Romano (So., River Forest, Ill.) tacked on hat-tricks to account for over half of Notre Dame's offense.

Meghan Pearl (So., Cary, Ill.) and Ali Durkin (Fr., Chicago, Ill.) added pairs of scores as the Irish, ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the season, closed out the year with a commanding victory.

In goal, Betsy O'Neill (So., Danville, Calif.) made eight saves in 21 minutes of work before leaving the cage and scoring a goal as a field player in the fourth period.

For NYU, Vanessa Jackson (Gr., Santa Barbara, Calif.) netted the Violets only score as she found the back of the cage with 3:33 left in the fourth period.

In goal, Meredith Lewis (Gr., Brockport, N.Y.) made seven saves as the Violets will face either No. 6 Michigan State University or No. 12 California State University-Chico for 11th place.

Notre Dame Goals -- Kelly Horner (5); Bridget O'Neill (3); Christina Romano (3); Meghan Pearl (2); Ali Durkin (2); Emily Harig; Kat Kennifer; Kristen Harchut; Betsy O'Neill

NYU Goals -- Vanessa Jackson

Notre Dame Assists -- Christina Romano (2); Ali Schilling

NYU Assists -- None

Notre Dame Steals -- Bridget O'Neill (3); Kat Kennifer (2); Ali Schilling (2); Meghan Pearl; Ali Durkin; Kelly Horner

NYU Steals -- Tania Del Rio (2); Vanessa Jackson; Laura Wierich

Saves: Notre Dame - Betsy O'Neill (8, 21 minutes), Maggie Hyde (0, 7 minutes); NYU - Meredith Lewis (7)

Ejections: Notre Dame - 7 ; NYU - 13

Shots: Notre Dame - 29 ; NYU - 11

Sprints: Notre Dame - 3 ; NYU - 1