BLACKSBURG, Va. – Make it win number five in a row and a 1-0 road victory for the No. 5 Notre Dame women’s soccer team (13-2-0, 6-2-0) on Thursday night over the Virginia Tech Hokies (9-5-2, 3-4-1).
It also marked the fifth consecutive shutout as well and the 10th overall on the season. The Irish now boast the most shutouts in the country for a team who hasn’t played more than 15 games.
The game-winner belonged to none other than Korbin Albert. The sophomore drilled a free-kick goal off the left post and in early in the first half. It marked her sixth goal of the season and third game-winner.
Graduate goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood also shone bright, recording five saves. She picked up her sixth straight shutout and eighth overall on the year. The shutout will most certainly make her goals against average rank first in the country heading into the weekend.
The victory also keeps the Irish in contention for a top-two seed in the ACC Tournament.
How It Happened
The first scoring chance for the Irish came early, the fourth minute to be exact. It started with Eva Gaetino in the backfield dribbling past a Hokie then delivering a long-distance through ball to Wingate, whose shot was blocked last second by a sliding defender.
However, it didnt take long for the Irish to get goal No. 1 – enter Korbin Albert on a free-kick in the seventh minute. From about 23-yards out, Albert buries it low and off the left post past a diving keeper.
Wood was stellar in net in the first half, making four saves, including one midway through the half in which she left her feet and dove to her left to punch it away.
In the 36th minute, it was two Notre Dame reserves who almost added to the tally. Ellie Ospeck worked the ball into the box from the right side and crossed to Sophia Fisher in the middle of the box. Fisher lined a missile, but it was right at the keeper.
Notre Dame did boast the majority of possession in the second half but neither side had a lot of scoring chances in the second half.
The Irish had what would have been a sure goal with 23 minutes left in the game when Fisher hit a ball ahead to Wingate who pushed past the keeper and in. However, the sideline ref disagreed and called offside.
Up Next
The Irish will play its final road game of the regular season, staying out east to play at Wake Forst on Sunday, Oct. 23. First touch is set for 5 pm ET on ACCNX.