RALEIGH – The No. 12 Notre Dame women’s soccer squad can control its own destiny in getting a top-2 seed in the ACC Tournament and a straight shot to the semifinal round. The mission – win its last two games including the one they had on Sunday at the Dail Soccer Complex.
The Fighting Irish (10-2-4, 6-1-2) did just that by securing the 1-0 victory at NC State (3-8-6, 2-4-3). Now the final leg of the mission – knock off No. 8 Clemson at home on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Leah Klenke scored today’s game-winner, marking her second goal of the season. The sophomore bumped her season points total to a career-best 13.
The Irish scored off of a corner in the 66th minute. Morgan Roy took the kick and placed it on Eva Gaetino’s head who then found Klenke posted up in front of the Wolfpack goalie. It marked both Roy’s and Gaetino’s third assists on the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish had a few near misses in a first half in which they outshot the Wolfpack 14-3. Two that came the closest were Kristina Lynch and Charlie Codd – both of whom had fantastic Octobers for the Irish. In the 25th minute, Lynch had a header that went just high and hit the crossbar straight on.
In the 36th minute, Mercado dribbled the baseline left of the goal and dished to Codd at the top-middle of the six. Codd, who has scored three times over the last four games, looked like she was poised for yet another, but a Wolfpack defender slid in at the last second for the deflection.
The Irish went into the half scoreless and knowing they needed the three points. All it took was a corner kick in the 66th minute. It marked their sixth goal scored off a corner this season and seventh off of a set piece.
Freshman Atlee Olofson started in goal yet again for the Irish. She needed just two saves to record the shutout.
UP NEXT
One last ACC regular season game awaits and it’ll be hosted inside the friendly confines of Alumni Stadium. Notre Dame will get another crack at a top-10 ranked team when No. 8 Clemson visits on Thursday, Oct. 26. First touch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
– ND –