SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The #2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0-2, 0-0) concluded their second match of the season with a 2-2 draw against the (RV) Penn State Nittany Lions (0-0-1, 0-0).
With an even slate of 0-0 at halftime, both teams were hungry for their first goals of the season. Four total goals were scored in the second half with Penn State converting twice to take a 2-0 lead before the Irish were able to make a late comeback and respond with two goals of their own.
Junior Lily Joseph led the offensive charge for the Irish as she scored both goals for the Irish for a brace on the day.
While the Irish were limited in their opportunities in the first half, junior goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica held firm with three saves in the first 45 of play. .
The Nittany Lions put their first goal of the day on the board in the 52nd minute, following with their second goal of the day immediately after to post a 2-0 advantage over Notre Dame.
The Irish had a great shot from Reese Canada on the right wing in the 58th minute, resulting in a big save from the Penn State keeper as the ball nearly made it between the hands of the goalie and the crossbar. Chuku followed with another shot on the rebound, but was blocked by the Penn State defender.
The Irish remained aggressive, still in search of their first goal of the 2026 season.
In the 68th minute, Lily Joseph had a look from the top of the box as she fired it off the pass from Kemmerley, but would land just high of the goal. It was followed with a shot from Kemmerely, who drew the yellow card on the Nittany Lion goalkeeper.
Joseph would take the penalty kick for the Irish as she found the back of the net to put the Irish on the board with their first goal of the season and made it 1-2 in the 69th minute.
Persistent in their efforts, the Irish kept control and continued to get good looks. In 88th minute, one of those looks would find the back of the net. Ellie Hodsden battled in the box as she passed it through a pair of defenders, where the quick Joseph touch sent it to the right side of the net for the equalizer.
Notre Dame continued to work in hopes to get one last goal in the closing minutes, but would ultimately close it out with a 2-2 draw.
UP NEXT
After two games at Alumni, the Irish hit the road as they travel to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers on Thursday, August 20 at 8:05 PM ET (7:05 PM CT).