Military soccer’s run with the longest win streak within the nation got here to a crushing finish Saturday at Yankee Stadium as Notre Dame dominated from the get-go and posted a 49-14 victory.
The final time Military had began a season at 9-0 was in 1996, and that got here to an finish equally in recreation 10, falling to a ranked Syracuse workforce on the highway. And like that season, Military shall be enjoying in a bowl recreation a number of weeks from now.
By no means overwhelmed in a Shamrock Collection encounter, the “host” Combating Irish jumped out to a fast 14-0 lead – it was solely the second time Military had failed to attain on its opening drive and truly trailed in a recreation, although the Black Knights responded with a 14-3 win at North Texas two weeks earlier.
The one optimistic that got here out of the sport was senior quarterback Bryson Day by day enhanced his probabilities for postseason accolades. He tacked on two extra landing runs, elevating his file single-season whole to 23, and he surpassed 100 speeding yards for the eighth time this season, tying the good working again Mike Mayweather from the 1990 season.
Military was a 14-point underdog. The Black Knights (9-1) are ranked No. 18 within the AP Prime 25 and Notre Dame (10-1) is No. 6.
“It’s clearly disappointing,’’ head coach Jeff Monken mentioned. “We misplaced to an ideal soccer workforce. They’re so gifted, extremely well-coached and so they simply outclassed us in each side tonight. Our guys stored combating onerous and I’m actually pleased with our workforce; we simply weren’t ok.’’
A high quality run
Military’s 13-game win streak got here to an finish. The final time the Black Knights misplaced a recreation was Oct. 28, 2023, when Massachusetts shocked Military 21-14 at Michie Stadium.
“It’s been a superb run,’’ Monken mentioned.
As at all times, Monken turned his consideration to the convention closing with Texas San Antonio on Nov. 30 (midday ET, CBSSN).
“We simply obtained to go play subsequent week,’’ Monken mentioned. Echoing his standard mantra, Monken added: “Subsequent week’s recreation is difficult to win. … We’re enjoying a extremely gifted, actually well-coached workforce subsequent week. It’s an necessary recreation so we’ll prepare for that one.’’
Monken doesn’t consider his gamers could have any hassle shaking off this setback.
“These guys have been resilient all yr,’’ he mentioned. “They weren’t trying within the rearview mirror and patting themselves on the again all yr. They’ve been very skilled, very mature and so they’ve gotten prepared for every recreation.
“They have been prepared for this one; we simply weren’t ok tonight, so we’ll prepare for subsequent week. And I consider in our workforce. We’ve obtained good management.’’
Military soccer: Black Knights have methods to go
In lots of previous seasons, Military could be headed into Thanksgiving week with only one recreation to play: the annual season-ending contest with Navy. This yr, although, Military nonetheless has at the least 4 video games to play.
The Black Knights will honor their seniors subsequent Saturday when Texas San Antonio visits. The result stays essential with Military and Tulane tied atop the American Athletic Convention standings, and the workforce that comes out on prime after the ultimate regular-season weekend (by file, or by highest School Soccer Playoff rating) will host the Dec. 6 AAC title recreation. In fact, the all-important Dec. 14 recreation with Navy follows with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy going to the winner.
Military shall be enjoying in a bowl recreation, whether or not it’s the week prior or after Christmas. A CFP playoff spot continues to be potential however extremely unlikely.
kmcmillan@th-record.com
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR