SOUTH BEND, Ind. – An immediate answer and a dominant second half was the story of the game for the 12th-ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer squad (2-0-1) on Thursday night against Butler (1-2-0). After the Bulldogs scored the first goal of the match in the 56th minute, the Irish retaliated less than 30 seconds later. They went on to score three goals in a 6.5-minute stretch and ultimately won it 4-1 to remain unbeaten.
The Irish scored four second-half goals on 10 shots and it was from four different players as well. Graduate Kristina Lynch got her first in an Irish uniform to get Notre Dame on the scoreboard.
Eva Gaetino netted goal No. 2 on the year and did it on another set piece no less. Kiki Van Zanten secured her first goal of 2023 via a successful penalty kick. Lastly, freshman Meg Mrowicki continues to be a force off the bench, earning her second on the year as well.
HOW IT HAPPENED
On a very hot day in South Bend, Notre Dame not only battled a tough Butler squad but a heat index over 100 as well. Though the Irish didn’t find the net in the first half, they did tire the Bulldogs, owning 60% of the possession. Both sides tallied three shots in the half.
Out of halftime, it was much of the same, however, Butler took advantage of a costly Notre Dame turnover in their own half. Catching the Irish on the counter-attack, Butler’s Norah Jacomen took the ball into the right side of the box and delivered it far-left post for the goal in the 56th minute.
What was great to see from the Irish was the immediate answer and poise. Kristina Lynch got the ball in the upper right part of the box and then struck a low-liner through the defense and past the keeper in the 57th minute.
In the 60th minute, Gaetino would not be denied off a set piece once again. Maddie Mercado struck a beautiful ball from outside the box which found Sophia Fisher’s head just outside the six. Butler’s keeper made the save as the ball bounced along the goal line. Gaetino then sacrificed her body to finish off the goal as she collided with the post. The assist was accredited to both Mercado and Fisher.
In the 63rd minute, Van Zanten earned her goal and delivered. After being taken down on the left side of the box, the graduate stepped up and earned goal No. 1 on the year and the 22nd of her career.
In the 76th minute, it was a freshman-to-freshman connection, as Chayse Ying snuck a through ball to Mrowicki past the final line of defense. Mrowicki then touched it past the keeper who charged out and finished off the goal.
UP NEXT
A revenge game for the Irish and a ranked battle awaits. No. 12 Notre Dame hosts No. 10 Arkansas on Sunday, Aug. 27. First touch is set for 2 p.m. ET inside Alumni Stadium. It will also air live on ACC Network.
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