SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0-5, 1-0-0) defeated the #24 Clemson Tigers (4-2-2, 0-1-0) in a 2-1 battle at Alumni Stadium on Friday night in the ACC opener.
Freshman Kate Kemmerley and sophomore Gabi Poretto each finished the night with one goal in the win. Kemmerley is tied for a team-best four goals so far this season and Poretto is now a perfect 2-2 on penalty kicks for the Irish. Junior goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica finished the night with four saves.
It didn’t take long for Notre Dame to claim a 1-0 lead. The Irish were on the board in just 34 seconds as the Clemson keeper came off their line and Ellie Hodsden was able to find Kate Kemmerley for a shot to the right corner of the net in the 1st minute.
The Irish had another great look in the 28th minute as Riley DeMartino played it up the sideline and found Kemmerley up the middle. She sent it up ahead to Izzy Engle, who was able to find the back of the net, but the goal was called back for offsides.
The Irish dominated possession in the first half as they outshot the Tigers 9-1, but Clemson would continue to battle in the second half in search of their first goal of the night.
With Clemson outshooting the Irish 11-5 in the second half, Notre Dame’s first shot of the half came in the 60th minute as Kersh launched it from just outside the box to the far post, but resulted in a Tiger save.
The Tigers would find an equalizer on a corner kick in the 65th minute to level the match at 1-all.
In the 73rd minute, Izzy Engle would get another look to score and put the Irish in front, firing it to the far post, but stopped by the Clemson goalkeeper.
However, in the 77th minute, another opportunity would present itself as Ellie Hodsden drew a foul in the box for a penalty kick opportunity. Poretto converted on the PK to put the Irish in front 2-1.
Clemson would take their last shot for an equalizer in the 89th minute, but a Kasica save would secure the 2-1 Irish victory over the No. 24 Clemson Tigers on Friday night.
UP NEXT
The Irish are back in action on Friday, Sept. 18 as they host Boston College for their Irish Wear Green and Lymphoma Awareness match.