NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Make it six wins in a row for the Notre Dame women’s soccer team after defeating NC State, 2-1, Friday night at the Dail Soccer Field.
The victory marks the fastest the Fighting Irish (10-1-1, 4-0-0) have achieved 10 wins since the 2010 national championship season, in which they accomplished the feat in just 11 games. The win also marks the squad’s best ever start in ACC play, improving to 4-0-0.
It was two freshmen who shone the brightest under the Friday night lights in Raleigh, as both Korbin Albert and Katie Coyle scored goals. It marked Albert’s fifth goal of the season and Coyle’s second. It was also Coyle’s first game-winner.
How It Happened
Albert got the Irish on the board in a hurry, scoring in the first minute. After a Sammi Fisher corner, a Wolfpack defender’s header failed to clear the ball, thus finding Albert around the top of the box, who then buried it to the far post.
The Irish outshot the Wolfpack 7-0 in the first half and three of said shots came off the foot of Olivia Wingate. The senior sped by the Wolfpack defense on a few occasions, including one breakaway in which she had a shot on net and forced NC State’s Maria Echezaretta to make a tough save.
Albert almost had a brace in the 56th minute, as the freshman had another rocket from the top of the box. However, Echezaretta made the diving save and Bri Martinez collided with a defender on the attempted rebound shot.
Martinez got subbed out after the collision and Katie Coyle came in and made an impact within a minute.
Wingate took the ball down the left side and crossed it in and it was deflected just outside the top of the box to a sprinting Katie Coyle. The freshman then used her left foot to blast it home for the 2-0 lead.
Though NC State got a goal with 36 seconds left in the match, it was the Irish defense that was solid throughout, limiting the Wolfpack offense to just four shots.
Up Next
The Irish return home to Alumni Stadium for another Thursday/Sunday ACC slate. Up first, Notre Dame will clash with Louisville on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m, then host Clemson on Oct. 10 at 3 p.m.
— ND —