CLEMSON, South Carolina — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team battled another top-10 on the road Friday night but ultimately fell 1-0 to the the 10th-ranked Tigers at Riggs Field.
Both teams were level after the first 45 minutes but action picked up in the second half. A strong surge for the Tigers (7-0-1) in the opening 20 minutes of the second half led to the only goal of the game. Mackenzie Smith scored from distance after Mattie Interian got a hand on the shot but it deflected off the underside of the bar and across the line for the goal.
The Irish (6-3) pushed forward for the equalizer and had a great chance from Sammi Fisher in the 72nd minute but the Tigers goalie came up with the save. Fisher had another chance off a free kick in the 85th minute but Maciver was there again to make the save and seal the win for Clemson.
How it Happened
After a slow start for both teams, Interian made a key stop for the Irish in the 20th minute. The Tigers set up for a free kick and Guion sent the kick towards the far post. Smith settled the ball and had a point blank shot but Interian was up to the task. She smothered the ball and picked up the save to keep the score level.
Interian had a strong first half for the Irish, tallying three saves in the first 45 minutes. Shannon Hendricks also had a great first half at left back, as she thwarted a number of Clemson runs into the attacking third.
After a scoreless first half, the opportunities picked up in the second half.
Clemson had a couple of chances in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and then converted in the 58th minute. Smith had a strong shot from about 25 yards out and Interian got a hand on it but it deflected off the bottom of the bar and over the line for the goal.
The Irish had a great opportunity in the 72nd minute as they were looking for the equalizer. Fisher settled a deflection just outside the box and made a turn towards goal. After a touch, she fired a shot towards the near post but Maciver made the save.
Fisher had another shot off a great schemed free kick for the Irish. With the ball about 20 yards away from goal, Fisher broke away from the wall, received the pass and turned to an open look on goal. She did not get everything on the shot but Maciver had to dive to her right and make a kick save to keep the ball from ending up in the back of the net.
Coming Up Next
The Irish return to campus to prepare for their home ACC opener next week. Notre Dame will host Pitt Thursday night at Alumni Stadium. First touch is set for 7 p.m. ET and it will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Irish women’s soccer program, follow @NDSoccer on Twitter and @NDWSoccer on Instagram. For tickets to a Notre Dame women’s soccer match, click here.
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