When the Notre Dame women's soccer team arrived in Louisville Saturday afternoon, they headed straight for the Lucky Strike bowling alley.

That's right, the 5th ranked Fighting Irish did not hold a walk-through in preparation for Sunday's match versus the Cardinals, nor did they crash at their hotel to get some rest.

Instead, they spent the night knocking down pins and waging one-on-one battles to see who could roll the ball harder — team bonding at its finest.

"Team chemistry is the most important thing a team can have," said head coach Randy Waldrum. "If the players get along and have a common goal, it's easier to reach that goal."

And for the past, oh, 15 years or so, the Fighting Irish have been reaching their goals with ease — winning games, championships, recruits and everything in between.

Friday night, Notre Dame (9-1-0, 3-0-0) will roll into Valley Fields, having posted four straight shutouts and outscored their opponents 20-1 in the past five games.

So now, the riddle that Markus Roeders and his Golden Eagles must solve in a hurry is how to stop a defending national champion riding a 46-2-2 record in the past 50 regular-season games.

How do you match a program with some of the elite women's soccer talent in the nation?

"We bring high caliber players into our system," Waldrum said. "I credit that to the attractiveness of our university."

The 2005 Notre Dame squad includes a member of the Mexican National Team, two members of the Canadian National Team, and seven members of U.S. Age-Group National Teams.

"Our success is just about our players," Waldrum said. "All the weapons we have are attributed directly to our personnel."

How do you stop the highest scoring offense in the country?

"Their attack is so dynamic," said Florida head women's soccer coach Becky Burleigh. "You have to be concerned about handling their three forwards. They're three of the best in the nation."

That trio includes senior Katie Thorlakson, freshman Kerri Hanks, and sophomore Amanda Cinalli.

The reigning national player of the year, Thorlakson led the nation in scoring in 2004 with 23 goals, 24 assists and 70 points. This year, she has amassed 9 goals, 13 assists and 31 points in 10 games.

Bursting onto the collegiate soccer scene, Hanks leads the team in goals (16) and points (37). She is also second and third, respectively, in the nation in those categories.

After earning first team all-Big East honors as a freshman, Cinalli has continued to produce this season, racking up four goals and seven assists.

As an offensive unit, Notre Dame leads the country in scoring with 41 goals and a 5.13 goals per game average.

"You have to try to eliminate their quality shots," said Michigan assistant women's soccer coach Dan Dalzochio. "They're not as dangerous if you make them shoot from far out."

How do you break through Notre Dame's defense?

"Their defense isn't really a weakness," Burleigh said. "But it's definitely not their strong point."

Opposing offenses would likely disagree.

The Fighting Irish have held 31 of their past 33 opponents to 0-1 goals, and injuries pose no roadblock to a team deeper than Bill Gates' pockets.

"Their starting 11 and (substitutes) are solid from top to bottom," Dalzochio said. "They have a couple of kids injured, but their bench doesn't make their team any weaker."

Those players currently dealing with injuries include goalkeeper Erika Bohn, central defender Kim Lorenzen and defensive midfielder Jill Krivacek — all starters.

"We have the depth to get through and overcome any injury we might face," Waldrum said.

That has certainly proven to be the case, as even in their sole defeat of the season (a 2-1 loss to Santa Clara), the Irish defense only allowed four shots on goal.

"You have to try to isolate their backs," Dalzochio said. "Encourage the forwards to turn and take them on. Make them think."

How do you outscheme one of the nation's top coaches?

"Sometimes, coaching is a big part of laying the structure and creating the framework for a proper winning environment," Waldrum said.

For the past seven seasons, Waldrum has been forming that foundation quite nicely.

During his time at Notre Dame, Waldrum has led the Fighting Irish to four Big East regular-season and tournament titles, three appearances in the College Cup's final four, and one national title.

Waldrum has also been a member of the U.S. national team coaching staff since 1992.

"Sometimes, though, coaching is overrated," Waldrum said. "At the end of the day, it comes down to the players carrying out the game plan."

So really, how do you prepare to face this team?

"You have to go get your team prepared to play your game," Waldrum said. "You can't worry about your opponent. We never prepare for our opponents."

And that plan seems to be working out pretty well.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 29, 2005.