CINCINNATI, Ohio — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team got the spring season off on the right foot with a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats Thursday afternoon at Gettler Stadium.
“First, it was just great to see us back on the field again,” said head coach Nate Norman. “There’s a renewed sense of appreciation to just enjoy every moment you get to spend with your team now.”
After a scoreless 45 minutes, the Irish (5-5, 4-5 ACC) scored two goals in over three minutes from Brooke VanDyck and Kati Druzina to take control of the match. Jaina Eckert made her first career start in goal and had one save on the afternoon to collect the win and the shutout.
“I thought we played very well today,” said Norman. “Our movement with and without the ball was really sharp and I’m very proud of the overall effort we put in the game. Cincinnati is a tough team to play against and are well-coached and organized. They proved to be very difficult to break down. Overall it was a great effort against a very good team.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game was delayed for almost an hour due to lightning in the area. Once the game got started, both teams took a bit to get their footing on offense.
The Irish did have two great looks in the opening minutes as Maddie Mercado put a shot on goal that was saved. VanDyck beat the Bearcats to the rebound and put it on frame but the Bearcat keeper was able to recover and make the save.
Druzina had the next good look for the Irish in the 24th minute. She put a low, driven shot on net and it was saved on the goaline by one of the Bearcat defenders.
As the half was winding down, two of Notre Dame’s shots ended up going off the crossbar. Brianna Martinez had the first shot in the 36th minute as she curled the ball around the keeper but just caught the crossbar and came back out. Moments later, Erin Ospeck came in from the left side and her shot glanced off the crossbar and got sent out of the box.
After a scoreless first half, the Irish came out swinging early in the second half.
Just over five minutes into the half, the Irish picked up their first goal of the game. Eva Hurm received the ball out on the right side and cut towards the box down the end line. She sent a low cross in that VanDyck connected with and one-timed into the back of the net for goal.
Just three minutes later, the Irish doubled their lead. Druzina had her defender 1-v-1 on the right side of the box. She cut back towards the middle of the box and sent a low, driven shot inside the near post. The shot beat the keeper to increase the Irish lead and Druzina tallied her first career goal.
That was all the offense the Irish needed as the defense kept the Bearcats stymied in the offensive third all game long. Cincinnati only mustered one shot on goal that was saved by Eckert.
NOTES OF THE MATCH
- Brooke VanDyck scored her first goal of the season and fourth of her career in the second half.
- Kati Druzina tallied her first career goal in the second half.
- Jaina Eckert made her first career start and earned her first career win and shutout over Cincinnati.
UP NEXT
The Irish will return to campus and prepare for their lone home match of the spring season. Notre Dame will host Missouri on Saturday, March 20 at Alumni Stadium. It will be Senior Day as the Irish will honor the eight seniors prior to the game.
ALUMNI STADIUM ATTENDANCE POLICY
The University of Notre Dame, in accordance with campus health and safety protocols and with the guidance of local health officials, will limit attendance for sports competing this spring to guests of competing Notre Dame student-athletes and coaches as well as current Notre Dame, Holy Cross and St. Mary’s College students. Students will be expected to show a current I.D. and physically distanced seating will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional student attendance policies can be found here.
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