| GAME 16: | #7 Notre Dame (10-1-4, 4-0-4) |
|---|---|
| Opponent: | #19 Virginia Tech (10-3-3, 5-1-2) |
| Where: | South Bend, IN | Alumni Stadium |
| When: | Sunday, Oct. 27 | 1 pm ET |
| Watch: | ACCNX |
| Social: | NDWSOC Twitter NDWSOC Instagram |
| Admission: | FREE |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Both games this week are away from South Bend, starting with a bus trip to Ann Arbor on Thursday, August 29. Michigan is 0-3 on the year with losses to Utah Valley, Xavier and Colorado. That match will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on BTN+.
The Irish own a 15-5-1 series lead over the Wolverines, with a 6-2 record in Ann Arbor. Notre Dame will look to avenge a loss from a year ago when Michigan escaped with a 1-0 victory at Alumni.
Then on Sunday, the Irish head south to Indy for a showdown at Butler. The Bulldogs are 2-0-1 on the year and square off against Ball State on Thursday. The Irish hold an 11-1-1 advantage in the series.
ELECTRIC ENGLE
Izzy Engle has entered her name into the conversation of breakout freshman star of 2024. After recording the first freshman hat trick in program history since 2008 in Notre Dame’s win at Samford, Engle recorded a brace in the 4-0 win over No. 13 TCU. Both goals were must-see performances.
Engle’s 5 goals are tied with 8 others for most in the country. She’s the only freshman on that list.
1-2-3 CENTER MIDFIELD PUNCH
Notre Dame has developed a three-headed monster in the middle of its midfield. First, let’s start with sophomore Charlie Codd.
Codd is now 3-for-3 in games with an assist. She ranks 14th in the country and 2nd in the ACC in assists per game (1.0).
Junior Laney Matriano recorded her second career goal, first of the season, in the 4-0 win over No. 13 TCU. Matriano has now started in 35 of her 39 games played at ND.
Then there’s freshman Grace Restovich who recorded four points in the opening week of play with one goal and two assists.
TRENDING
The Irish moved five spots up in the United Soccer Coaches poll this week to the No. 9 spot. That means five ACC teams are ranked in the top-10: No. 1 FSU, No. 2 Stanford, No. 5 UNC, No. 7 Virgnia and No. 9 Notre Dame.
During last Sunday’s win over TCU, the Irish earned their first set-piece goal on the year. Morgan Roy collected assist number one, delivering a perfect corner kick to Lily Joseph who volleyed it into the corner of the net. It marked Joseph’s first collegiate goal.
The defensive backline of Fisher, Gemma and Mills, plus keeper Olfoson have started in back-to-back games and have two shutouts to show for it. Over both games, the defensive unit has combined in allowing just five shots on goal.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
The youth movement is on at Notre Dame and will be a huge talking point early on. An infusion of 13 freshmen – the most in program history. Not only that, this freshman class boasted a top-4 national recruiting ranking by Top Drawer Soccer.
Though an early sample size, but the top four point-getters on the team are currently freshmen: Izzy Engle (10 points), Grace Restovich (4 points), Annabelle Chukwu (3 points) and Lily Joseph (3 points).
GOALIE BATTALION
Battling for that coveted GK spot is returner Atlee Olofson. The sophomore has started the past two games and has back-to-back shutouts to show for it. Her two shutouts rank 10th in the country.
Last year, Olofson went 7-3-2 in net with five shutouts. She produced 45 total saves with a .763 save percentage. She finished with a GAA of 1.17.
Freshman 5-10 Sonoma Kasica got the starting nod in game one. Kasica ranked 44th overall in her recruiting class.
— ND —