ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Irish went into U-M Soccer Stadium and turned in an impressive performance to the tune of a 3-1 win over the Wolverines on a rainy Tuesday night.
Senior forward Jack Lynn led the attack, scoring two first half goals off assists from Daniel Russo and Ethan O’Brien. Mohamed Omar got in on the action, scoring his first of the season off a great pass from Russo, who notched a career-high two assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish and Wolverines both found the back of the net in the opening four minutes of action, making the score 1-1 early. Notre Dame struck first, as Russo played Lynn into space. The senior forward made no mistake with the finish, firing a low shot inside the near post for the opening goal.
The Wolverines instantly responded, scoring off a header from a free kick to level the match at 1-1.
Notre Dame regained the lead just before the half, as Lynn scored his second goal of the half to put the Irish on top 2-1. Ethan O’Brien unlocked the Michigan defense with a perfect ball and Lynn fired it into the bottom corner with his right foot for his second of the night.
After the Irish nearly doubled its lead off a Russo shot from range that forced a diving save, Notre Dame found its third goal of the night when Russo beat his man on the flank and sent a perfect ball across the box that was tapped in by Omar to make it 3-1 in the 71st minute.
Notre Dame controlled the remainder of the contest to leave Ann Arbor with the 3-1 victory.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“Great win in the tough conditions against a very good team. The game had a fast start with us scoring a goal and then giving up a goal which can be a real challenge. The guys responded to every challenge of the match really well. We got a well-deserved victory.”
On Lynn’s two-goal night…
“He’s been playing really well. Against NC State he had a really good game and now getting the goals is something we knew was coming and it’s good to see them. I think he will build on this performance.”
On the defensive response after allowing the early goal…
“We adjusted well to some of the set pieces where we thought they were dangerous, that’s where they got their first goal. The defense then continued to play smart and took the conditions into the equation and just did a great job of keeping us solid throughout the night.”
ND STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Irish have now scored three goals in two of their last three matches.
NOTES
- Notre Dame improves to 14-3-4 against Michigan in the all-time series.
- Lynn’s multiple goal performance was his first of the season and third of his career
- Lynn now has 24 career goals, the most of any active Irish player.
- Omar’s goal is his first of the season and third of his career.
- Russo recorded the first multiple assist game of his career and leads the Irish in assists this season with three.
- O’Brien’s assist is his second of the season and of his career.
UP NEXT
The Irish remain on the road and play at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 24. The game will be broadcast on ACCNX.
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