DURHAM, N.C. — Notre Dame went on the road to Koskinen Stadium and claimed an impressive 2-0 ACC win over Duke to improve to 7-5 on the season.
The Irish struck twice in the first half, as Aiden McFadden and Jack Lynn each scored goals in the winning effort. Not only did the Irish record a clean sheet but the defense didn’t allow a single shot on target over the 90 minutes of play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish started out on the front foot and took advantage of their early chances, scoring the opener in the seventh minute to go on top 1-0. Lynn beat his defender to the endline and cut back a pass to McFadden, who put a shot on frame. The Duke keeper managed to make the initial save and then after a number of deflections McFadden poked the ball into the back of the net for the opener.
Notre Dame put its second goal on the board in the 33rd minute, courtesy of a score from the spot by Lynn. The Irish sent a ball into the box and it struck the hand of a Blue Devil defender to set up the penalty. Lynn calmly placed the ball in the bottom right of the net, sending the keeper the wrong way to double the Irish advantage to 2-0.
The Irish did a wonderful job of limiting any opportunities for Duke in the second half, as the team collectively locked down the host’s attack to keep the shutout intact and come away with the 2-0 road victory.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“I am very proud of our group. I thought it was an excellent performance. Duke is a very talented team and our guys did a great job handling their talented players. I am proud of how we kept pushing even after going up 2-0.”
NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Irish didn’t allow a single shot on target in the victory and held the Blue Devils to just six total shots on the evening.
NOTRE DAME NOTES
- The Irish improve to 9-4-1 in the all-time series against the Blue Devils and have won each of the last two matchups.
- Lynn scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season, despite playing in just 11 games.
- McFadden scored his second goal of the season and first of the spring.
- McLaughlin recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season and eighth of his career in just 15 starts.
UP NEXT
The Irish finally return to Alumni Stadium for their spring home opener against Calvin at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 16. The match will air on ACCNX.
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