NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Notre Dame improved to 3-1 on the spring and 8-5 on the 2020-21 season on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win over Calvin in its final non-conference match of the season.
Senior forward Aiden McFadden scored the winner for the second consecutive outing, heading in a corner from Dawson McCartney in the 15th minute.
The Irish dominated the majority of the match, outshooting the visitors 16-4 and hitting the woodwork twice.
Freshman goalkeeper Bryan Dowd made his collegiate debut for the Irish in the win, producing two saves to record the first clean sheet of his career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish led 1-0 at the half despite dominating the first 45 minutes of play. Notre Dame scored the opener off a corner in the 15th minute. Dawson McCartney had perfect service for McFadden who nodded home for the opener.
Notre Dame continued to create chances and put the Calvin defense under pressure but were unable to grab the second goal. The Irish earned eight corners and had eight shots in the first half.
The Irish continued on the front foot for the second half, consistently asking questions of the Calvin defense. Jack Lynn struck the woodwork in the 60th minute and Matthew Radivojsa connected on a strike from outside the box that was headed for the back of the net but the Calvin goalie made a sprawling save to tip the effort over for a corner.
The Knight’s best chance of the evening came in the 53rd minute off a free kick on the edge of the box. Calvin’s Mason Smith hit a curler destined for the right side of the goal but Dowd was up to the task, making a diving save to keep the clean sheet intact.
The Irish went on to win by a final score of 1-0.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“I am proud of the guys and a good result. Credit to Calvin, they are a wonderful program that is really well coached and we knew it was going to be a challenging game. We are happy with a good performance and to get the result.”
On the Irish goal…
“Aiden is really dangerous in set piece moments and he did a great job of creating a little bit of space and finished it off nicely.”
On goalkeeper Bryan Dowd’s debut…
“It was great for him. He came up with one very big save and I thought he looked very steady back there. It was nice to get him in a game.”
NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Irish scored their eighth goal of the season off set pieces with four coming from corners.
NOTRE DAME NOTES
- Wednesday’s matchup against Calvin was the first in program history for the Irish.
- McFadden scored in his second straight game and now has three goals.
- The Irish defense recorded its fifth clean sheet of the season and has not given up a goal in regulation in any match this spring.
- Dowd and McCartney both made their first career starts for the Irish in the win.
UP NEXT
The Irish have a quick turnaround, hosting No. 5 Wake Forest at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday evening at Alumni Stadium. The game will air on ACCNX.
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