Irish and No. 16 Cardinals Play to 0-0 Draw

Box Score (PDF)

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Heading into the game, both Notre Dame and No. 16 Louisville averaged two or more goals per game but defense was on full display in the 0-0 draw Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.

“I think it was a good day for us,” said head coach Nate Norman. “We don’t have any moral victories but the wind affected how we could get the ball down in play and I loved how our team battled throughout the game. I was proud of how we were able to roll up our sleeves and play really good soccer against a tough Louisville squad.”

It was a physical matchup between the two squads as a number of fouls were committed. The Irish (9-4-1, 3-2-1 ACC) and Cardinals (11-1-1, 4-1-1 ACC) committed 20 fouls each which limited the flow of the game in regulation and overtime.

The Irish defense extended the home shutout streak to four games after the draw and have not allowed a goal at home in ACC play. Brooke Littman tallied her sixth shutout of the season, making two saves on the afternoon.

How it Happened

Notre Dame controlled possession in the first half and got the first quality chance in the game as a result.

Shannon Hendricks stood over a corner kick in the 26th minute and left it short to Eva Hurm. After one touch, Hurm sent the ball into the box towards the back post. It was just over the head of Maddie Mercado but Kiki Van Zanten gained possession and got a shot off that was blocked. Brianna Martinez got to the rebound and fired a shot that went wide.

Louisville’s best chance of the half came moments later when Maisie Whitsett got in behind the Notre Dame defense. She was one-on-one with Littman on the left side of the box and fired a low shot towards the net. Littman came out to take away the angle, got her foot on the shot and was able to snag it for the save.

In the second half, Olivia Wingate had a great opportunity for the Irish off a run made by Hurm. Hurm streaked up the right side and dropped a pass back to Wingate who was on the edge of the six-yard box. Wingate took a quick shot but a Louisville defender deflected the shot away to thwart the Notre Dame chance. 

After 90 minutes of scoreless play, Notre Dame had the best goal scoring chance and it came in the second overtime period.

Autumn Smithers had the ball in the Irish defensive third and played a great ball across the field and to Hurm in the offensive third. Hurm had a step on her defender and fired a shot from just outside the box on the right side. She kept it low but Kouzelous was able to make the save for Louisville.

Match Notes

• Notre Dame extended its home shutout streak to four games after the 0-0 draw. The Irish have not allowed a goal at home since Sept. 15 in the first half against Iowa. The streak has lasted 455:23 minutes of game time.
• The Irish have not allowed a goal at home this season during ACC play. Notre Dame is 6-1-1 overall at home and have only allowed three goals at home all season.
• Brooke Littman tallied her sixth shutout of the season in the draw. She has allowed just four goals in 740:00 minutes of game action which is good for a 0.47 goals against average.

Coming Up Next

The Irish will hit the road next weekend to take on one of the best teams in the country. Notre Dame will travel to Charlottesville to take on No. 1 Virginia Sunday afternoon. First touch is set for 2 p.m. ET and it will be broadcast on the ACC Network. 

For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Irish women’s soccer program, follow @NDSoccer on Twitter and @NDWSoccer on Instagram. For tickets to a Notre Dame women’s soccer match, click here.

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