| 3-seed Notre Dame (12-3-4) | NCAA Tournament 2nd & 3rd Rounds |
|---|---|
| Where: | Fayetteville, AR | Razorback Stadium |
| Watch: | ESPN+ |
| 2nd Rd Opponent: | 6-seed Memphis (19-1) |
| When: | Friday, Nov. 16 | 4 p.m. ET |
| 3rd Rd Opponent: | Pitt or Arkansas |
| When: | Sunday, Nov. 18 | 7 p.m. ET |
| Social: | NDWSOC Twitter NDWSOC Instagram |
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s soccer team (5-1-1) will wrap up non-conference play on Sunday, Sept. 12, when the Brown Bears come to town for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff inside Alumni Stadium. The Irish have yet to conceded a loss at home this season, where they boast a 12-1 goal differential. Sunday’s matchup will be streamed live on ACCNX.
DETROIT NO MERCY
The Irish offense exploded on Sept. 9, rolling to an 8-0 victory over Detroit Mercy. It was the most goals in a match since the Irish won 9-0 vs Iowa State on 8/26/06. It also tied for the sixth-most goals in a match since the 1999 season.
Another notable, Brooke VanDyke got the Irish on the board in just 103 seconds, becoming the 15th fastest goal all-time.
In the second half, the freshman Korbin Albert shone bright, scoring back-to-back goals in an impressive span of 1:26.
Meanwhile, the Irish defense allowed just one shot the entire match.
AN IRISH QUARTET
Sammi Fisher (11 points), Olivia Wingate (7 points), Korbin Albert (9 points) and Maddie Mercado (6 points) are the attacking four-headed monster for the Irish.
First, there’s Fisher, who is a two-time All-ACC selection. Her all-time season-high total for goals was six in 2019. She already has five in 2021 which ranks 19th in the nation.
In addition, she boasts two game-winning goals which ranks her 22nd in the country.
Then there’s Wingate, who boasts two goals and three assists. She scored the game-winner against Purdue and was responsible for the assist of Albert’s game-tying goal at Mizzou that forced overtime.
Albert cracked the Irish starting XI on day one and has made the most of it. She ranks second on the team in points, boasting four goals and one assist.
Albert’s first two goals were on the road – at Wisconsin and at Mizzou. Her goal at Missouri tied the goal with three minutes left and forced overtime before the Irish unfortunately suffered their first defeat.
Last but not least, there’s junior midfielder Maddie Mercado, who has two assists and two goals this season.
”Mercado is an all-around player. A feisty tenacious defender. She boasts a creative side with her game and passing. A box-to-box midfielder,” said Coach Norman.
JUST AROUND THE CORNER … FROM MAIN STREET
The Irish have enjoyed a dramatic advantage in corner kicks vs its opposition, 46-15. Notre Dame’s 6.57 corners/game ranks 52nd in the nation.
BEST START?
If Notre Dame were to be victorious on Sunday, the Irish would move to 6-1-1 on the year and it would mark the best eight-game start to Coach Norman’s four-year tenure at the helm. The 2019 Irish started 6-0-0 but dropped three straight right after.
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 101-26-6, good for a .782 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 15-3-2 at home.
SHOT RATES OF WINGATE
When Olivia Wingate gets a shot off, lookout because it’s going to be a dangerous shot on net. In fact, her .786 shot accuracy percentage ranks 10th in the nation and tops all players in the ACC. In all, she has 14 shots, with 11 on net.