MADISON, Wis. – Notre Dame women’s soccer’s Sammi Fisher had a birthday to remember. With the Fighting Irish (2-0-1) and Wisconsin Badgers (2-1-0) deadlocked at 1-1 in overtime, the 22-year-old converted a penalty kick to deliver the victory for the blue and gold.
Freshman Korbin Albert scored her first career goal in the eighth minute to get the Irish on the scoreboard. The goal was assisted by Olivia Wingate. Fisher then tallied her second goal of the season and 18th of her career.
How It Happened
In the eighth minute, Fisher connected on a back-heel pass to Wingate, who took the ball to the goal-line down the left hand side before finding Albert in the middle of the box. As a result, the Irish took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
However, Wisconsin leveled it in the 61st minute when they received a penalty kick after a Badger player was fouled off the ball off a cross.
Later, with just nine minutes left in regulation, Maddie Mercado made the defensive play of the game. The junior was patrolling the goal line off a Wisconsin corner kick and saved what would have been a badger goal, clearing the ball with a header.
Also to note, goalkeeper Mattie Interian recorded a diving save just moments prior to keep Notre Dame level.
Albert almost made it a multi-goal night when what would have been her go-ahead goal from 20 yards out bounced off the crossbar.
Yet, all that set the stage for the birthday girl, who converted the game-winning penalty kick just two minutes into overtime for the 2-1 Notre Dame victory.
Up Next
The Irish travel to Milwaukee to challenge Marquette on Sunday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. ET.
— ND —