Irish Upset No. 13 Louisville, 1-0

Box Score (PDF)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Notre Dame women’s soccer team picked up a crucial three points with a 1-0 win on the road over No. 13 Louisville Sunday afternoon at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. The lone goal came off the foot of senior captain Camryn Dyke in the 69th minute on the penalty kick attempt.

“This was one of those gut check games and I am very proud of the way our team responded,” said head coach Nate Norman. “It was a tough weekend last weekend, we picked up some injuries in the week leading up to the game, and we had a tough first half, but I loved our resiliency and response in the second half. I’m very proud to be a part of this team.”

After a slow first half, the Irish (4-3-0, 4-3-0 ACC) upped the offensive pressure in the second half and it led to the penalty kick opportunity. The Irish defense stepped up after the goal and kept the Cardinals (4-3-0, 4-3-0 ACC) from mounting an equalizer. A few key saves from Mattie Interian down the stretch clinched the fourth shutout of the season for the Irish. Louisville had only allowed opposing goals in just two of its six games this year.

With the win, the Irish are up to 12 points in conference play and are currently tied for third with Clemson and Louisville.

HOW IT HAPPENED

There was not much action in the first half for either team, as there was just one shot on goal by either team and it came from Louisville in the 39th minute.

Emina Ekic teed up a free kick and skied it into the box where Sarah Hernandez made a run on net. She connected with the ball and put a low shot on net but Interian read it well, stayed low and scooped up the save.

The Irish maintained a good portion of possession in the first half, mainly in the midfield but couldn’t turn it into anything on the offensive end.

In the second half, the opportunities began to build for the Irish. They began the second half outshooting Louisville 4-1 until their best chance came in the 69th minute.

A cross into the box from Olivia Wingate was attempted to be set away from a sliding Louisville defender but she hit the ball with her hand and set up a penalty kick for the Irish. Dyke stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted her opportunity low to the right side for the opening goal of the match. It was Dyke’s first goal of the season and second of her career.

Louisville put the pressure on in the final 15 minutes of the game and its best chance came in the 83rd minute off a corner kick. A loose ball fell to the foot of Nadege L’Esperance inside the six-yard box and she turned to take a shot on net. Interian was right on the spot and stopped the shot with her left hand and deflected it out and away from goal.

Interian also made a save on a shot from Cassie Amshoff one minute later and that was the final shot of the game for the Cardinals. 

UP NEXT

The Irish will finish up the fall regular season next weekend when they travel down to Chapel Hill to take on one of the No. 1 team in the country. The Irish and Tar Heels, who both have a rich history between the two schools, will square off on Sunday, Nov. 1. The matchup will kickoff at 5 p.m. ET and will air nationally on the ACC Network.

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