NOTRE DAME, Indiana – Coming off their first road win of the season on Thursday, the Notre Dame women’s soccer team returns to Alumni Stadium and looks to continue the early season success. The Irish used two second half goals by Autumn Smithers to defeat Western Michigan and they are back home to take on St. John’s Sunday night. The Irish and Red Storm were regular opponents back in the BIG EAST days but this will be the first matchup between the two schools in almost nine years.
Know the Opponent: St. John’s Red Storm
- The Irish and Red Storm will face off for the first time in almost nine years as the two teams meet at Alumni Stadium Sunday night.
- The two teams regularly met in the BIG EAST Conference and the Irish hold a 13-0 all-time advantage over the Red Storm.
- St. John’s is one of four opponents that the Irish have played 10 or more times and have never lost to in school history (Pitt, 14-0-1; Providence 17-0; Syracuse 14-0-1).
- The last time the two teams faced each other, the Irish came out on top 4-1 at Alumni Stadium on Oct. 3, 2010.
- St. John’s enters Sunday’s matchup with a 1-2 record after a 2-1 2OT win Friday night against Yale. Last season, the Red Storm finished with a 9-9-1 record.
Irish Facts and Figures
- Notre Dame heads into Sunday’s matchup on a three-game winning streak and looks to begin the season 4-0 for the first time since 2015.
- The Irish have scored seven goals in their first three games and they have all come in the second half.
- The Irish have a trio of players that have tallied a brace so far this season. Eva Hurm and Luisa Delgado scored twice against Northwestern and Autumn Smithers scored both goals against Western Michigan.
- The Irish have only allowed one goal through the first three games, the fewest since 2017.
Smithers Leads Comeback Win Over Western Michigan
- Notre Dame hit the road for the first time in 2019 to take on Western Michigan in Kalamazoo.
- It was a familiar place for both head coach Nate Norman and assistant coach Lauren Sinacola as both held the held job of the Broncos prior to Notre Dame.
- The Irish conceded the first goal of the season in the opening half and trailed 1-0 at the break.
- A lineup adjustment by Norman paid dividends early in the second half.
- Autumn Smithers moved from center back to center forward and scored the equalizer in the 49th minute after the feed from Sammi Fisher.
- Later in the half it was Smithers again, this time off an assist from Brooke VanDyck, to put the Irish ahead in the 76th minute.
- Smithers returned to center back following the second goal and the Irish held off the Broncos to claim their third straight win to begin the season.
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