Oct. 11, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Sophomore Taylor Klawunder buried the game-winning goal off a header on Sabrina Flores’ corner kick, and twin sister Kaitlin Klawunder added an insurance goal on a rebound as the No. 16/11 University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team defeated Boston College 2-0 Sunday at Alumni Stadium.
The Irish dominated on the offensive end, outshooting the Eagles (9-4-1, 3-2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) 21-5, including an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Irish also held the edge in corner kicks, earning 12 to Boston College’s seven.
Notre Dame got into its offensive rhythm immediately, firing four shots within the game’s first four minutes, all viable scoring chances. Crisp passing allowed the Irish to manage the ball for nearly the entire half, with the Eagles breaking into their offensive zone just a handful of times in the first 45 minutes.
By the time Taylor Klawunder found the back of the net for the first Irish score in the 27th minute, Notre Dame had already taken 10 shots. Klawunder asserted herself inside the goal box on the service from Flores, flicking the ball into the back post on one of Notre Dame’s 12 corner kick opportunities.
When the halftime horn sounded, the Irish had outshot the Eagles 15-0.
“I thought that first half was one of the best first halves we’ve played [this season],” Irish head coach Theresa Romagnolo said. “We were moving the ball, making the extra pass, being creative with the ball and off the ball.”
The Irish continued to press in the second half and found their cushion almost immediately after Kaitlin Klawunder entered the game in the 56th minute. Once again pressing into the offensive zone, junior Sandra Yu sent a shot toward the net that a diving junior Kaleigh Olmsted got a foot on before it was batted away by Boston College goalkeeper Alexis Bryant. Charging in for the rebound, Klawunder took advantage of Bryant’s loss of position and solidified the lead at the 56:09 mark.
“I was really proud of her,” Romagnolo said. “I don’t think she’s gotten a lot of minutes so far, but she’s stayed ready and been practicing well. We were looking for somebody to mix it up and bring great energy and quality and on her first touch scored a goal because she’s getting herself into the right area of the field and reading the game.”
Once again, the Irish found their defense more than up to the challenge of shutting down opponents’ offenses, as senior Cari Roccaro played a key roll in clearing out dangerous balls and limiting the workload for goalkeeper Kaela Little. Over the past two games, the Irish have given up just six total shots and zero goals.
Olmsted led the Irish with five shots, while senior Anna Maria Gilbertson and Sabrina Flores got off four shots apiece. Little improved to 5-3-0 with four shutouts and a 0.45 goals against average on the season.
The Irish return to action on Friday, October 16, when they take on Wake Forest at 7 p.m. ET at Alumni Stadium. The Irish will also welcome back the 1995 National Championship squad, which will kick off its reunion weekend with recognition at halftime.
#16/11 Notre Dame 2, Boston College 0
Oct. 11, 2015
Notre Dame, Ind. (Alumni Stadium)
Boston College 0 0 — 0
Notre Dame 1 2 — 2
ND1. Taylor Klawunder 3 (Sabrina Flores) 26:14. ND2. Kailtin Klawunder 1 (Kaleigh Olmsted) 56:09.
Total Shots: ND 21 (15-6), BC 5 (0-5)
Shots on Goal: ND 8, BC 2
Saves: ND 2 (Kaela Little 2 in 90:00), SU 6 (Alexis Bryant 6 in 90:00)
Corner Kicks: ND 12 (7-5), BC 7 (3-4)
Fouls: ND 7, BC 5
Offsides: ND 1, BC 0
Attendance: 1,194
Records: ND 10-3-1, 3-3-0 ACC; BC 9-5-1, 3-2-1 ACC
Next for ND: vs. Wake Forest, October 16 at 7 p.m. ET at Alumni Stadium
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Season and single game tickets for Notre Dame women’s soccer are on sale now. Visit UND.com/tickets, or call the Murnane Family Ticket office at 574-631-7356.
For the latest Fighting Irish women’s soccer coverage, be sure to log on to UND.com, follow @NDSoccer on Twitter and like Notre Dame Women’s Soccer on Facebook.
Joanne Norell, Athletics Communications Assistant
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