SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The #18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1-6, 3-1-1) defeated the #14 Virginia Cavaliers (6-3-2, 2-3-0) in a 1-0 battle at Alumni Stadium on Thursday night.
Junior forward Izzy Engle, relentless in her attacking efforts, would put the Irish on the board in the 83rd minute as her game-winning goal secured Notre Dame’s third ACC win this season.
Junior goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica finished with four saves and her third shutout of the season.
Notre Dame’s first chance of the night came from Engle in the 15th minute as the junior forward fired it from just outside the six-yard box to the near post, but was saved by the Cavaliers keeper. Engle would have another shot on goal in the 21st and 22nd minutes, each resulting in a save.
The Irish would have some opportunities on their five corner kicks of the half, but ultimately it would be a scoreless 0-0 heading into halftime.
It was a tenacious effort from the Irish and Cavaliers with Virginia outshooting the Irish 9-7, but Notre Dame would have a 5-4 edge on corner kick opportunities. Kasica recorded three saves in the first 45 minutes of play.
Virginia would have some early looks to start the second half and it wasn’t until the 65th minute that Notre Dame would get another look from Engle. The on-target shot from the six-yard box was saved, and while Lily Joseph tried scoring on the rebound, she would be called for offsides.
It was end-to-end action with both squads looking to get a goal on the board and in the 83rd minute, the Irish would strike first.
On a touch from Ellie Hodsden, Engle was able to run up the midfield in transition as she battled one-on-one with the Virginia goalkeeper for a shot. Engle fired it through the goalkeeper's legs as they came off of their line in an attempt to make a stop.
IZZY ENGLE STRIKES IN THE 83' #GoIrish☘️ | @accnetwork https://t.co/TY0ValwAiH
— Notre Dame Women's Soccer (@NDSoccer) October 9, 2026
With the Irish in front 1-0 with just over seven minutes remaining, Notre Dame kept their foot on the gas as they were looking to extend their lead with three more scoring opportunities. Engle had another chance from the left side of the box in the 87th minute, and in the 88th minute, Annabelle Chukwu followed with a shot around the six-yard box.
Lastly, in the final minute, Joseph would get one more shot off for the Irish, as all three looks were on-goal and saved with an impressive effort by the Virginia goalkeeper.
Notre Dame would go on to secure their fifth win of the season with a 1-0 victory over the #14 Cavaliers.
UP NEXT
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are back at Alumni Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 15 to take on the Pitt Panthers (6-5-2, 0-4-1) at 7:00 PM.