GM 11 Preview: Boston College

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s soccer squad (8-1-1, 2-0-0) looks to make it five in a row on Sunday when Boston College (6-3-1, 0-2-0) rolls into town.  The Irish will kick off against the Eagles at 1 p.m. ET inside Alumni Stadium, with live stream coverage on ACCNX. Admission is free all season.

SAVED BEST FOR LAST

Sammi Fisher is making the most of her graduate season, as she has already achieved her best year in an Irish uniform just 10 games in. She owns eight goals to her name, topping her previous season high of six set in 2019.

Her eight total goals this year ranks in the top-12 of the country and top-3 in the ACC.

Yet, the impressive note lies in her game-winners. Four of Fisher’s goals are game-winners, which ranks her first in the entire country. Fisher has scored game-winners against Syracuse, Brown, Wisconsin and Bowling Green.

Her 17 total points ranks in the top-35 nationally.

Career wise, Fisher has tallied 24 goals and 10 assists. She has started in 73 of 79 total games played.

IN THE RANKINGS

After achieving a top-25 ranking from Top Drawer Soccer heading into ACC play, the Irish moved up two spots to No. 22 heading into this weekend’s slate. In the United Soccer Coaches poll, the Irish are receiving votes.

In the updated Women’s Soccer RPI, the Irish checked in at No. 19. They are 2-0 against top-25 RPI squads.

WIN STREAK

With the win over Miami on Sept. 23, Notre Dame has been the victors of four straight. During the win streak, the Irish have outscored their opposition, 19-1. Furthermore, Notre Dame has outshot its opponent 82-13.

Maddie Mercado, Kiki Van Zanten, Sammi Fisher, Sophia Fisher, Olivia Wingate

PREVIOUSLY ON ..

Notre Dame is coming off of a 5-0 victory at Miami on Sept. 23. Maddie Mercado had an impressive showing. Within two minutes of being subbed-in in the first half, Mercado found the back of the net to get the Irish scoring going. Then four minutes later she registered an assist to Van Zanten. Meanwhile, Wingate recorded her first brace of the season, picking up goals No. 3 and 4.

Lastly, Sammi Fisher continued to add to her team-leading goal total, scoring No. 8 on the year off of direct free-kick.

THREAT OFF THE BENCH

If there were a 12th woman award similar to sixth woman in basketball, it would go to junior midfielder Maddie Mercado. The San Diego native has the fourth most points on the squad with nine – comprised of three goals and three assists. Mercado is coming off of a three-point performance at Miami, totaling one goal and one assist – all within a five-minute span of each other.

Prior, Mercado notched the first brace of her career against Detroit Mercy.

LENDING A FOOT

If looking for a playmaker, direct your attention to left-wing midfielder Kati Druzina. The Kirtland, Ohio native leads the Irish in assists with five. In fact, four assists have come over the last four games aka Notre Dame’s win streak. She recorded her first career multi-assist game in the 2-1 win over Brown.

LET’S HAVE A KIKI

Kiki Van Zanten led the team in scoring last season with seven goals, and more impressively, she did it coming off the bench. The now junior played in 12 of the 13 games, with just three starts.

Fast forward to this year and Van Zanten is starting to heat up. Providing a spark off the bench, Van Zanten has scored three goals over the last four games and is a big reason for Notre Dame’s win streak.

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The Irish have enjoyed a dramatic advantage in corner kicks vs its opposition, 68-18. Notre Dame’s 6.8 corners/game ranks 34th in the nation.

The Irish scored off of a Sammi Fisher corner kick against Purdue, as Olivia Wingate headed it past the goalie and into the net.

BEST START

The Irish are now 8-1-1 on the year, marking Coach Norman’s best start at the helm of the Irish. The 2019 Irish started 6-0-0 but dropped three straight right after.

— ND —