Game 4: #10 Arkansas

Notre Dame Notes

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 12 ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer squad (2-0-1) will get an early test when No. 10 Arkansas (2-0-0) rolls into town for a battle between two top-12 ranked and unbeaten teams. First touch is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m. ET and it’ll air live on the ACC Network.

Sunday will also be Pups at the Pitch Day, with free admission for both you and your dogs!

REVENGE GAME IN MIND

It was an extremely physical battle that wasn’t forgotten. In the 2021 NCAA Tournament Third Round, the No. 3 seeded Irish traveled to Fayetteville to challenge No. 2 seeded Arkansas. Notre Dame rallied twice with equalizers to make it 2-2 with goals from Korbin Albert and Olivia Wingate; however, the Razorbacks found a game-winner in the 78th minute. That matchup was the first between the two programs as Sunday will mark Arkansas’ first visit to South Bend. 

GAETINO ALREADY MAKING AN IMPACT

In the five halves that Gaetino has played, she and the rest of the Irish defense have only allowed six total shots on goal with two goals allowed (Unfortunately one of those was the Milwaukee one that went in with 30 seconds left from midfield).

Not only is she locking it down in the backfield, but she’s also making herself an offensive threat in the opponent’s box on set pieces. In fact, she has two goals already three games in – both off set pieces.  She first scored off a corner kick against Ball State on Aug. 20, then got her second against Butler on Aug. 24 off a free kick from Mercado outside the box. Lastly, the two goals are a career best for Gaetino and they were both game-winners to boot. For her two game-winners rank 1st in the country.

MULTIPLE FRESHMEN STEPPING UP

In game one it was 5-8 center midfielder Morgan Roy. The Michigan native started in the season opener and finished off a beautiful goal in the 2nd half. Roy has started all 3 games thus far.

In game two vs Ball State it was Meg Mrowicki, who was subbed in late in the first half and made her presence known, finishing off a great low cross from Audrey Weiss.

In game three vs Butler, it was a freshman-to-freshman connection, as Chayse Ying registered her first career assist finding Mrowicki, as the latter continues to be a force coming off the bench. Thus, a freshman has scored in all three games this season.

Not to mention, freshman Charlie Codd has been dynamic coming off the bench and playing on the left side. She’s clocked 118 minutes on the pitch through three games.

GETTING THE SHOTS

In a similar storyline to last season, the Irish are getting plenty of shot opportunities, they just want their conversion rate in finding the back of the net to be a little bit better. Heading into game four, Notre Dame ranks 9th in the country in shots per game with 23.3. Now, they also rank 28th in shots on goal per game with 9.7.

In the game against Butler on Aug. 24, they were efficient, netting four goals on eight shots on goal. As a result, their scoring offense of 3.0 now ranks 32nd in the country. ND has posted a .414 SOG pct and is averaging a goal every 3.2 SOG. Mercado is leading the charge with 4.3 shots per game, which ranks 27th nationally, 3rd in the ACC.

HANDLING THE ADVERSITY

When the ending to game one was a surprise result and one that caught ND off guard, both Coach Norman and captain Eva Gaetino spoke to the team about handling adversity and raising the standard moving forward. The Irish answered the call with a dominant 3-0 win over Ball State. Then in game three vs Butler, the Bulldogs caught the Irish in a counter-attack and stole a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute. The response was swift – a goal less than 30 seconds later – three goals in the next 6.5 minutes – and a 4-1 victory over Butler.

STANDOUTS FROM BALL STATE

Junior Sophia Fisher received high praise from Coach Norman following the 3-0 win over Ball State on Aug. 20. Fisher earned her first career start and then played all 90 minutes at defensive mid, winning ball after ball. Fisher even tallied her first goal of the season in the 84th minute, putting away a rebound off a corner kick.

Also shout out midfielder Erin Hohnstein. The graduate came off the bench and posted her first multi-assist game of her career with two.

IRISH LYNCH-PIN

Irish fans will have to wait no more to see their hometown girl on the pitch this season. Florida State transfer, national champion, and Granger, Indiana, native, Kristina Lynch has started all 3 games thus far at ring-wing midfield. Lynch missed all of last season rehabbing an ankle injury sustained in the preseason.

At FSU, she was a two-time NCAA champion (2018 & 2021). She played in 77 games as a Seminole, including 51 starts. She scored a total of 12 goals, with three assists, good for 27 points.

Against Butler on Aug. 24, Lynch netted her first goal in an Irish uniform.

NEXT WOMAN UP

Four starting Irish turned pro after the conclusion of last season, including generational talent Korbin Albert.

Albert signed a three-year deal with Paris Saint Germain (PSG), turning pro after her sophomore season. A Mac Hermann Trophy finalist and First Team All-American, Albert led the Irish in scoring with 16 goals – tops for any midfielder in the country.

The Irish also lost All-American Olivia Wingate, who was drafted by the North Carolina Courage. Wingate poured in the second most goals with 14. Right-wing midfielder Bri Martinez was signed by the Orlando Pride and goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood was picked up by the Chicago Red Stars

SCORERS FROM ALL OVER

And with that last note, it’s a perfect segue into this fact – the Irish have tallied 9 goals on the year and it’s come from 7 different players: Gaetino (2), Mrowicki (2), Mercado, Van Zanten, Fisher, Roy and Lynch.

HOME AT ALUMNI

Alumni Stadium is becoming one of the most difficult venues for opposing programs to earn a result in. Since its creation in 2009, Notre Dame has gone 121-29-9. Over the last two seasons (plus this season) – an impressive 23-3-4 record inside Alumni. Last four-plus seasons – 34-6-5.

MAKING HER RETURN

Sophomore midfielder Laney Matriano is returning from a summer injury and got on the field for the first time against Butler on Aug. 24 in limited minutes. Matriano was 1-of-2 ND freshman last year who had a starting role for a majority of the games (started in 19 of 22 games played) – starting in center mid. Matriano scored her first collegiate goal in the NCAA Tournament, in the 2nd Round win over Santa Clara.

— ND —