Irish Remain Undefeated with 4-0 Win over Illinois

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. – With a 4-0 victory over Illinois on Sunday, the (RV) Notre Dame women’s soccer team (4-0) remains undefeated on the season, improving to 4-0 with an 11-0 goal aggregate. The Fighting Irish defense has now posted four shutout victories to start the season, tying the second best shutout streak to start the year (The most was eight in 1995). 

The Irish defense only allowed three shots on goal on Sunday and have only allowed four all season. All-in-all, Notre Dame outshot Illinois 27-8, registering 17 shots on net. 

Best part of the four goals today was that it came from four different players: Katie Coyle, Ellie Ospeck, Maddie Mercado and Leah Klenke. 

Mercado now leads the team with three goals and she’s followed right behind by Leah Klenke who now boasts two goals and one assist through her first four collegiate games. 

Meanwhile, Ospeck notched her second career goal in an Irish uniform and Coyle nabbed her third.  

How It Happened

The Irish boasted nearly 70 percent of the possession of the match and were in control early on. In fact, starting keeper Ashley Naylor only needed to make two saves on the afternoon. 

The Irish broke through in the 33rd minute thanks to Katie Coyle. Olivia Wingate picked up the assist as she sped through the left side of the box and found Coyle near the top who one-timed it in for the goal. 

The second goal beat the halftime clock. With 12 seconds left in the first half, Paige Peltier fired off a hard shot as the Illinois keeper had to make a diving save. Waiting on the far post left alone by the Illini defense was Ellie Ospeck who tucked it away for her first goal of 2022. 

Irish fans didn’t have to wait long in the second half for more goals, as Maddie Mercado delivered less than two minutes in. Kiki Van Zanten had a header shot attemp that was blocked, but Mercado was able to pick up the loose ball and put it away in the upper-90 for the goal. 

Next, Notre Dame saved its flashiest goal for last via Leah Klenke. The freshman beat her defender 1-on-1, and from about eight yards left outside the box, she fired one in as it soared over the keeper and tucked it beautifully in the far corner. 

Up Next

The Irish are gifted another opportunity to challenge a ranked opponent via No. 24 Wisconsin. That matchup will take place Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 pm ET, inside Alumni Stadium.

— ND —