GM 15 Preview: at No. 2 Virginia

NOTRE DAME, Ind.  – The Notre Dame women’s soccer is off to its best start since the 2010 season and will be riding an eight-match winning streak into a top-25 ranked showdown this Sunday at Virginia. Two of the ACC’s top teams this season collide when the Fighting Irish (12-1-1, 6-0-0) challenge the Cavaliers (12-1-1, 5-0-1) on Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. ET, live on ACC Network.

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. 13.

The Irish got noticed in the United Soccer Coaches poll, moving up from No. 24 to No. 17 this week.

In the updated Women’s Soccer RPI this week, the Irish moved up to No. 9.

WIN STREAK

With the win over Clemson, Notre Dame has been the victors of eight straight. During the win streak, the Irish have outscored their opposition, 30-4. Furthermore, Notre Dame has outshot its opponents 152-38.

In addition, there have been 10 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 and Eva Gaetino.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Six of the last nine 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 freshmen 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 three games.

Katie Coyle recently recorded her first career game-winner, scoring in 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 most recently scored in the win over Louisville, bringing her season total to three.

Last but not least, there’s Kaylie Ronan, who scored her first career goal in the win over Boston College on Sept. 26.

FLEXING THE OFFENSIVE MUSCLE

Notre Dame has scored 39 goals which rank second in the ACC and 10th in the nation.

The 39 goals are already more than six of the past seven seasons.

Notre Dame’s scoring offense of 2.79 ranks 14th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC.

In addition, ND’s 106 total points rank 17th in the country and 3rd in the conference.

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 boasts the fourth most points on the squad with 11 – comprised of four goals and three assists. Mercado tallied three points at Miami (one goal, one assist all within a five-minute span), then added a penalty-kick goal against Boston College.

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

RECOGNITION x 2

Notre Dame boasts both an offensive and defensive ACC Player of the Week this season.

First up was Sammi Fisher, who tallied a three-goal week with wins over Miami and Boston College, getting the offensive nod.

Then after wins over Louisville and Clemson, Eva Gaetino was honored with the defensive nod. Gaetino had the goal of the season thus far with a full-diving header in double-overtime to deliver 2-1 win over Clemson.

DEFENSE STARTS STRONG

The Irish starting backline of Eva Gaetino, Eva Wirtz and Waniya Hudson have been locked in this season, posting a 0.621 goals against average, which ranks 26th in the nation.

All-in-all, the Irish defense has allowed just nine goals with 43 shots on net. Total shots wise, they are only allowing 6.7 shots per game.

Interian started the first four games in net but was injured late in the Marquette game. Sophomore goalie Ashley Naylor has started the last eight games for the Irish, allowing just four goals while posting four shutouts.

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The Irish have enjoyed a dramatic advantage in corner kicks vs its opposition, 95-30. Notre Dame’s 6.79 corners/game rank 28th in the nation.

— ND —