SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-1-2) finished with a 1-1 draw against the No. 8 Saint Louis Billikens (1-1-1) at Alumni Stadium on Friday night.
Despite trailing early, the Irish continued to battle as they found a late equalizer from freshman Tristan Tropeano for his first career goal. He was assisted by freshman Michael Capretto for his first career assist. Junior goalkeeper Blake Kelly finished the night with two saves.
The Billikens would strike first, scoring in the 6th minute for an early 1-0 lead. Notre Dame’s best opportunity in the first half came on a Karson Baquero volley from just outside the box, taking a deflection and flashing just wide of the near post.
While the Irish had looks from Jack Flanagan, Tropeano, and Baquero, Notre Dame would trail 1-0 heading into the second half. Both teams finished with three shots each in the half, but Notre Dame recorded more corners by a margin of 4-1.
Still in search of an equalizer, Nolan Spicer broke into the box down the right flank and fired a right-footed strike on frame in the 56th minute, which resulted in the Billikens first save of the night.
In the 84th minute, the freshmen forward duo of Capretto and Tropeano brought Alumni Stadium to their feet. Capretto played a perfect ball into the box from the right side as Tropeano connected with a diving header on the cross, finding the back of the net for a late equalizer.
THE FRESHMEN CONNECTION🤝
— Notre Dame Men's Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) August 29, 2026
84' First career goal for Tristan Tropeano on the feed from Michael Capretto pic.twitter.com/STK0LUTMMD
The Irish would record one more shot on goal from Nate Zimmermann in the 88th minute, but would ultimately close it out with a 1-1 draw against the No. 8 Saint Louis Billikens.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“Obviously disappointed to give up the goal early. You don't mind it when a team scores by earning it, but I felt like we gave them that first goal, and you can't do that to a good team. Saint Louis is a very good team. After that, we were pretty good. I still think some sloppiness led to a couple other chances in the first half, but I think the group came out in the second half really focused and cleaned up a lot of things. I was pleased to see them get the tying goal and maybe with a little bit more time we could have got the winner, but I think overall, our performance had improved against a very good Saint Louis team.”
UP NEXT
The Irish are back in action at Alumni Stadium as they host the Harvard Crimson (0-0) on Monday, August 31 at 7:30 PM.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“Obviously disappointed to give up the goal early. You don't mind it when a team scores by earning it, but I felt like we gave them that first goal, and you can't do that to a good team. Saint Louis is a very good team. After that, we were pretty good. I still think some sloppiness led to a couple other chances in the first half, but I think the group came out in the second half really focused and cleaned up a lot of things. I was pleased to see them get the tying goal and maybe with a little bit more time we could have got the winner, but I think overall, our performance had improved against a very good Saint Louis team.”
UP NEXT
The Irish are back in action at Alumni Stadium as they host the Harvard Crimson (0-0) on Monday, August 31 at 7:30 PM.