NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s soccer team is enjoying a seven-match win streak and will look to keep the party going on Sunday when Clemson visits Alumni Stadium. First touch is scheduled for 3:06 p.m. ET. The ACC matchup will air on regional sports networks (RSN) so please check your local listings. For those in the Michiana area, the game will broadcast live on the Marquee Network.
Reminder to all fans – admission is free.
BEST START
The Irish are now 11-1-1 on the year, marking Coach Norman’s best start at the helm of the Irish. In addition, it marks the quickest the team has reached 10 games (12 games or less) since the 2010 national championship season.
Notre Dame also made history with its 5-0-0 start in ACC play.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Six of the last seven goals have been delivered from the foot of a freshman: Korbin Albert, Katie Coyle, Sophia Fisher and Kaylie Ronan.
Albert is the No. 8 ranked freshman in Division I (according to Top Drawer Soccer) and she’s living up to the ranking. She owns the second-most goals on the team with seven. In fact, she has three goals in the last two games.
Katie Coyle recently recorded her first career game-winner, scoring the second half of the 2-1 victory at NC State. Coyle owns two goals and one assist.
Sophia Fisher also has a game-winner, scoring in the 1-0 victory at Marquette. The freshman also scored in Thursday’s win over Louisville, bringing her season total to three.
Last but not least, there’s Kaylie Ronan, who recently scored her first career goal in the win over Boston College on Sept. 26.
IN THE RANKINGS
After achieving a top-25 ranking from Top Drawer Soccer heading into ACC play, the Irish continue to climb the charts. This week they check in at No. 15.
The Irish also finally cracked the United Soccer Coaches poll, checking in at No. 24.
In the updated Women’s Soccer RPI, the Irish check in at No. 21.
WIN STREAK
With the win over Louisville, Notre Dame has been the victors of 7 straight. During the win streak, the Irish have outscored their opposition, 28-3. Furthermore, Notre Dame has outshot its opponents 134-29.
In addition, there have been nine different goal scorers during said span: Maddie Mercado, Kiki Van Zanten, Sammi Fisher, Sophia Fisher, Olivia Wingate, Kaylie Ronan, Katie Coyle, Brooke VanDyck, Korbin Albert.
FLEXING THE OFFENSIVE MUSCLE
Notre Dame has scored 37 goals which rank second in the ACC and 10th in the nation. Their 37 goals is already more than the last two years (2019 – 31 ; 2018 – 24) and the most in the Coach Norman era.
Notre Dame’s scoring offense of 2.85 rank 15th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC.
In addition, ND’s 101 total points ranks 14th in the country and 3rd in the conference.
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
The Irish have enjoyed a dramatic advantage in corner kicks vs its opposition, 85-23. Notre Dame’s 6.54 corners/game rank 36th in the nation.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Irish have made Alumni Stadium a difficult venue for opposing programs to succeed in. Since its creation in 2009, Notre Dame has gone 105-26-6, good for a .788 winning percentage. In fact, they have only surrendered one loss or better on six separate seasons.
Looking at just the past three years, the Irish are 19-3-2 at home.
Notre Dame is unbeaten at home this season with a 7-0-1 record. The Irish have 2 home games remaining. The last time the Irish went unbeaten at home was the 2008 season in which they went 26-1 overall (lone loss in the national title game).
DEFENSE STARTS STRONG
The Irish back-three have been a brick wall, posting a 0.601 goals against average, which ranks 26th in the nation.
All-in-all, the Irish defense has allowed just eight goals with 37 shots on goals. Total shots wise, they are only allowing 6.5 per game.
Sophomore goalie Ashley Naylor has started the last 7 games for the Irish, allowing three goals and recording 4 shutouts.
— ND —