WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team (5-5, 1-1 ACC) snapped its losing streak on Sunday after defeating Wake Forest 1-0 at Spry Stadium. Brooke VanDyck broke through after a scoreless first half and it was all the Irish needed to claim their first ACC win of the season.
How it Happened
In the first half, both teams were able to generate scoring chances in their attacking thirds.
Wake Forest had the first two chances from either team in the 11th and 13th minute. Mattie Interian was on the spot both times and able to save each shot from the Demon Deacons. She added a save moments later and ended up with three in the first half.
The Irish had their chances shortly before the first half ended. Eva Hurm brought the ball up and fired a shot off from the right side of the box but it was blocked by a Wake Forest defender. Sabrina Flores got to the rebound and took a shot on goal but the Demon Deacons blocked her shot as well.
In the 40th minute, Flores had another great chance off of a rebound and her shot was sent away by a Demon Deacon defender. The Irish earned a corner off of the shot but the ball was sent clear of the box.
In the second half, Wake got a 2-v-1 opportunity in the attacking third after a getting possession in the midfield. Laurier took the ball into the right corner of the box before sending a shot towards the far post. Interian extended to her right and got a hand on the shot to deflect it away and keep the score level.
In the 68th minute, the Irish were able to break through and it all started with Jennifer Westendorf. She got tangled with a Demon Deacon defender on the right side but won the ball and played it up field. After a touch, she sent a cross towards the middle of the box where VanDyck came streaking in. VanDyck got her left foot on the ball and sent it past the keeper for the first goal of the game.
In the closing minutes, the Demon Deacons got their best chance of the game after a ball got into Ryann Brown in the middle of the box. Brown immediately took the shot but Interian had great positioning and scooped up the ball for her fifth save of the game, tying her career high. As the clock hit 00:00, the Irish earned their first ACC win and Interian recorded her first career shutout.
Stat of the Match
- Notre Dame improves to 7-1-1 all-time against the Demon Deacons. The Irish stay perfect in games in Winston-Salem as they are 3-0 all-time following Sunday’s victory.
Coach Norman Says…
On the type of fight the team had in a physical game like today’s…
“They were great today. The team talked a lot within themselves on how they wanted to battle more. They thought they were playing good soccer but they wanted to take care of the battles inside the box and at midfield and they did a great job with that today. I was very proud at how they responded.”
On what to learn moving forward into ACC play….
“We want to build on the game today. We want to continue to build on how we play, continue to be us and get better at doing what we do which is keeping a lot of possession and controlling the tempo of the game.”
Coming Up Next
The Irish return to campus this week and begin a four game homestand, starting Thursday night at Alumni Stadium. Notre Dame will battle Florida State on Thursday with first touch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Irish women’s soccer program, follow @NDSoccer on Twitter and @NDWSoccer on Instagram. For tickets to a Notre Dame women’s soccer match, click here.
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