LOUISVILLE – The No. 6 Notre Dame women’s soccer team (12-2-0, 5-2-0) kicked off its three-match road swing with a 2-0 victory over Louisville (5-6-2, 2-5-0) on Saturday night at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. Not only did the Irish win its fourth straight, but has done so by multiple goals in each win, outscoring its opposition 12-0 in that stretch.
The Irish defense continued its dominant 2022 campaign with its ninth shutout of the season. MacKenzie Wood started in net and picked up her seventh shutout on the year and fifth straight. She entered tonight’s matchup with a goals-against-average that ranked top-five in the country.
In the first half, senior Kiki Van Zanten registered her fifth goal of the season – all in the last nine games. It also marked her third game-winner.
Notre Dame added a goal in the second half as well from none other than its leading scorer Olivia Wingate. The graduate student earned her 10th goal as she continues to add to her career-best total and breakout year.
Both Maddie Mercado and Korbin Albert assisted on the goals and respectively earned their third assists on the season.
How It Happened
The Irish got on the board in the 17th minute thanks to a rocket from Van Zanten. Maddie Mercado flicked a pass to Van Zanten in the middle of the field, and after just two touches, launched a missile to the upper-90 from downtown Louisville.
Mercado almost added a goal to her first-half resume as well as she and Wingate took on the backline. Wingate took it down the left side of the box and crossed to Mercado whose first touch was a tad too hard as the keeper beat her to the ball by a step.
The Cardinals only secured two shots on goal in the first half but Mackenzie Wood needed to make good plays on both and she did, leaving her feet for both.
Goal number two for the Irish came in the 49th minute. Albert hit a low liner from distance, forcing the Louisville keeper to make a diving save to her right. Wingate was right there for the rebound and the putaway.
Just a minute later, Wingate almost scored again. Van Zanten’s pass found Wingate alone on the far post but her one-timed shot hit off the post.
All-in-all, it was a heated battle between the two teams as the match featured 28 total fouls and seven yellow cards throughout.
Up Next
The Irish will remain out on the road with a trip out east. Up first, Virginia Tech on Oct. 20, then Wake Forest on Oct. 23. Lastly, Notre Dame will wrap up regular-season play on Oct. 27 with Duke at home.
— ND —