LOUISVILLE – For Notre Dame women’s soccer fans, they’ve seen this script before during ACC play. The No. 13 Fighting Irish (8-1-3, 2-0-3) dominated possession and vastly outshot its opponent but once again had to settle for a draw. This time around, the Irish had to settle for a scoreless tie against the Louisville Cardinals (6-5-3, 1-4-1).
Notre Dame hit the crossbar twice and outshot Louisville, 21-5. The Irish recorded 10 shots on goal compared to the Cards’ one. Louisville did not register a shot on net in the second half.
Defensively speaking, it marked Notre Dame’s ninth shutout of the season. They entered tonight with a shutout percentage that ranked top five in the nation and tops in the ACC.
Freshman Somona Kasica started in net and recorded one save.
The top three shot getters tonight where Annabelle Chukwu (5), Grace Restovich (4) and Leah Klenke (3).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame dictated play in the first half but went into halftime scoreless. The Irish outshot the Cardinals 10-2, with a 5-1 shot on goal advantage.
Lily Joseph recorded the closest chance and it came in the 29th minute. In a classic Joseph moment, the freshman touched the ball to her right foot just outside the 18-yard box and unleashed a rocket that ricocheted off the crossbar.
Crossbar again! Lily Joseph with a good crack on goal but it's still scoreless nearing halftime.
Watch on @ACCNetworkExtra #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/YOHZ4Kiu1M
— Notre Dame Women's Soccer (@NDSoccer) October 12, 2024
The second half was no different. Notre Dame had five shots on goal to Louisville’s none. You could argue the ball was in Notre Dame’s attacking third for the majority of the half but the Irish just couldn’t connect when it mattered most.
The best second half chance came in the 68th minute. Ellie Hodsden worked hard to win the ball back near the top of Louisville’s box. Hodsden was able to toe poke the ball to an open Grace Restovich who ripped a shot off the crossbar. That’s now six crossbars for the Irish in the last two games.
Crossbar again 😫
Restovich so close to the game’s first goal. #GoIrish ☘️@ACCNetworkExtra pic.twitter.com/MYDRMd0wrZ
— Notre Dame Women's Soccer (@NDSoccer) October 12, 2024
UP NEXT
Coach Norman talked about trying to get his young group clicking together at the right time. That will now be tested in the final stretch of the season. Up next, the Irish will return home for a Thursday/Sunday bout against two ranked teams and two new teams to the ACC.
Up first, the Irish will challenge No. 17 Cal on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. ET. Then Notre Dame will host No. 7 Stanford on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m.
— ND –