Aug. 31, 2007

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The second-ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer team and Michigan played to a scoreless tie in front of one of the largest crowds in Alumni Field history (3,264), during Friday night’s season opener for both teams. A career-best 10 saves from junior Madison Gates prevented the Irish from cashing in on a 28-6 edge in total shots (10-2 in shots on goal) and a 10-1 corner kick margin.

The tie ended Notre Dame’s home winning streak at 32 games, which is tied for the third-longest in NCAA Division I women’s soccer history. The Irish still own the third-longest home unbeaten streak in NCAA history (42 games; 40-0-2), dating back to a 2003 loss to Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Notre Dame’s closest scoring chance came in the third minute of the second half, as junior forward Kerri Hanks delivered a leftside free kick to the top of the 18-yard box. Freshman midfielder Lauren Fowlkes then struck a sharp header that smacked off the center of the crossbar.

The Irish held the Wolverines without a shot for 92 straight minutes of game time, stretching into the second of the two 10-minute overtimes. Notre Dame extended its overtime unbeaten streak to 21 games (14-0-7), dating back to the 1999 season.

Michigan has proven to be a tough obstacle to Notre Dame in recent years, with the Wolverines beating the Irish in the final 2003 regular-season game and again in the ’03 NCAAs. The teams now have played to overtime three times in the past 10 years, with the Irish posting OT wins in 1998 and 2001.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Lysander started the season opener for the second straight season while Fowlkes had another impressive outing as a starter in her official debut. Another newcomer, junior Elise Weber (a transfer from Wisconsin), also started her first official game with the Irish (at right back).

Michigan (0-0-1) 0 0 0 0 – 0
#2 Notre Dame (0-0-1) 0 0 0 0 – 0

Shots: MICH 6, ND 28
Corner Kicks: MICH 1, ND 10
Saves: MICH 10 (Madison Gates), ND 2 (Kelsey Lysander 1, Nikki Weiss 1)
Fouls: MICH 16, ND 10
Offside: MICH 0, ND 4
Yellow Cards: Danelle Underwood (MICH) 14:41; Amanda Bowery (MICH) 30:38; Emily Kalmbach (MICH) 45:47; Amy Klippert (MICH) 78:49; Nikki Weiss (ND)112:13; Becca Mendoza (ND) 114:20.