Irish in the Olympics: Tancredi strikes bronze, Williams assured of medal
By Greg Hadley
In the second to last day of Olympic competition with former Notre Dame athletes, Melissa Tancredi earned the Irish’s fourth medal, a bronze.
https://twitter.com/FightingIrish/status/766694787873382400
Tancredi and her teammates on Canada’s women’s soccer team topped the host nation of Brazil in the third-place game Friday, earning the bronze and equaling their performance in 2012.
With two bronzes to her name, Tancredi becomes just the fifth former Notre Dame athlete with multiple Olympic medals at the Summer Games. She is also one of seven Irish alums to compete in three Olympics.
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After playing 85 minutes and not recording a shot on goal in Canada’s 2-0 loss to Germany in the semifinals, Tancredi started again for the Canadians and played 69 minutes before being subbed out. She had one shot, not on goal.
At 34 years old, Tancredi has likely played her last Olympic contest. If that’s the case, she leaves with seven goals in 15 games in the Olympics.
Monty Williams, the last remaining Notre Dame alum to compete at the Games, took to the hardwood as an assistant coach for U.S. men’s basketball on Friday for the team’s semifinal matchup against archrival Spain.
Had to throw on the Red, White & Blue Curry's to support @USABasketball & ND alum Monty Williams in Olympic semis! pic.twitter.com/5LaATSE7bM
— Mike Brey (@CoachMikeBrey) August 19, 2016
Williams and his players charged to an early 26-17 lead in the first quarter and then held on the rest of the way for a 82-76 win. With the victory, the Americans will have a shot at their third straight gold medal on Sunday against the winner of Australia-Serbia.
Next: Irish in the Olympics: Two still in medal contention
Regardless of the result, Williams will reach the podium, guaranteeing the Irish five Olympic medals, matching their total in London. That will tie the record for most Irish medals in a Summer Games. It will also be Williams’s first Olympic medal.