NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The 14th-ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer team were in a nail biter Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium with the fourth-ranked Clemson Tigers but a late goal propelled the Tigers to a 2-1 win.
Lauren Bruns made a run into the box in the 84th minute and found Megan Bornkamp for the game winning goal. Bornkamp’s initial shot was blocked by Waniya Hudson but Bornkamp got to the rebound and slotted it in the back of the net for the goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame had the first real chance by either team that came in the 11th minute from Brianna Martinez. She settled a cross in the box and fired a shot on goal that was saved by Hensley Hancuff. The rebound came right out to Maddie Mercado but she was unable to get the ball over Handcuff.
Moments later, Clemson capitalized after a feed from Bruns got Hal Hershfelt free into the box. Hershfelt beat a few Irish defenders and ripped a shot inside the far post for the first goal of the game in the 13th minute.
Notre Dame responded well after giving up the goal, as they controlled the possession for much of the rest of the half. The Irish were unable to capitalize and turn the possession into a goal and trailed 1-0 at half.
In the second half, Notre Dame switched up the formation and it immediately paid dividends in the 46th minute.
Sammi Fisher played a ball up to Ellie Ospeck who was clear of the Clemson defensive line. She was able to dribble it around Handcuff and had a wide open net for her first career goal to tie the game at 1-1.
The Irish kept up the pressure and had a great chance in the 64th minute. Olivia Wingate started the attack up the left side and played a ball to Luisa Delgado at the top of the box. She turned past the Clemson defender and curled a shot around the right side of Handcuff. The ball just deflected off the left post and came back out to thwart the Irish chance.
As the game was winding down in the final 10 minutes, Clemson pounced on a chance in their offensive third. Bruns made her run on the right side of the box and played it back to Bornkamp in the center of the box. Hudson’s diving tackle deflected the first shot away but Bornkamp was able to recover and her second attempt cleared Interian for the game-winning goal.
Notre Dame played up in the final five minutes but could not mount the equalizer.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame is back in action one week from today as they hit the road down to Louisville for a Sunday matinee. The Irish and Cardinals will square off at 1:30 pm next Sunday, October 25th at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium in Louisville. The match will be aired nationally on the ACC Network, Notre Dame’s third national broadcast of the fall season.
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