INDIANAPOLIS — Matthew Radivojsa scored in the 34th minute to lift No. 11 Notre Dame to a 1-0 win over Butler in its opening game of the spring season on Saturday afternoon at the Sellick Bowl.
Keagan McLaughlin made three saves as Notre Dame (6-4, 3-2 ACC) earned its fourth clean sheet of the season.
Both sides earned four corner kicks and each recorded three shots on goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish started the match strong by controlling play and keeping possession for the majority of the opening half and were rewarded with the match’s opening goal by Radivojsa in the 34th minute.
Radivojsa beat Butler goalkeeper Gabriel Gjergji with a shot in the bottom right corner from 15 yards out for the game’s lone tally.
Notre Dame outshot the Bulldogs 6-1 in the opening half, and forced Gjergji to make a pair of saves, but were unable to find another marker before halftime.
All three saves by McLaughlin came in the second half to keep Butler scoreless.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
“Really proud of the team, it was a true team performance. We knew it wouldn’t be perfect with it being our first game in a few months and after only a couple of weeks of training, but the team did a great job of grinding it out.”
UP NEXT
The Irish hit the road to take on Virginia next Sunday (March 7) in Charlottesville. First touch from Scott Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET
FOLLOW THE IRISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For a behind the scenes look at the Notre Dame men’s soccer program follow the Irish on Twitter (@NDMenSoccer), Instagram (@ndmensoccer) and Facebook (/NDMenSoccer).
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