SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-1-2) closed out a 2-1 thriller at Alumni Stadium as they defeated the Michigan Wolverines (2-1-1) with two late goals coming from the Irish in the final five minutes of play.
Nate Zimmermann and Ian Shaul each scored their first goals of the season in the 2-1 victory. Michael Capretto recorded an assist on Zimmermann’s goal and leads the team with two assists so far this season. Junior goalkeeper Blake Kelly finished the day with five saves, allowing just one goal.
The Irish were aggressive as they outshot the Wolverines 7-3 in the first 45 minutes of play and ultimately outshot them 19-7 on the match.
Jack Flanagan had one of the better early chances for the Irish. In the 7th minute, Capretto attacked from the right wing and found Flannagan in the box, whose shot landed just high of the goal.
Michigan would ultimately find the back of the net first as they took the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute. As the first half was coming to close, Diego Green was in the hunt for an equalizer as he fired it off his right foot between a pair of defenders from just outside the box, but sent the shot over the bar.
Still in search of an Irish goal, Notre Dame had opportunities on free kicks in the 58th minute with a pair of blocked shots from Karson Baquero and Shaul, as well as in the 69th minute with a shot from Vlad Walent that missed high.
Nolan Spicer had one of the best looks of the second half as Brady Hilden launched it downfield, where the touch from Tristan Tropeano fell to the feet of Spicer at the top of the box. The left-footed strike was fired right to the center of the goal as the Michigan keeper was able to make the stop.
The Irish remained persistent in their efforts as a shot from Zimmerman would result in an Michigan handball and Irish penalty kick, where Shaul converted on the penalty kick for the equalizer in the 86th minute.
Tied at 1-all, Capretto sent a beautiful ball from the right side of the box to the far post, as the Zimmermann header found the back of the net in the 89th minute to push the Irish in front 2-1.
The late offensive surge secured the 2-1 win for the Irish as Notre Dame remains undefeated at home this season.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“I’m super proud of the team today – just every guy from guys on the bench that didn't get to play, to the guys that got to step in and play big minutes, and to the guys that came and gave us a spark in each half. I think this was a real team win against a good Michigan team and credit to the guys for staying with it after we went down a goal after playing well in the first half. You know, the Michigan defense was tough to break down, but the guys just kept pushing, kept pushing, kept pushing, stayed disciplined, and found a way to get two goals at the end.”
NEXT UP
After a four-game homestand, the Irish are on the road on Friday, September 11 as they travel to Clemson for their ACC opener.