SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s soccer team started the 2022 season in fashion on Thursday evening, shutting out Marquette in a 3-0 decision at Alumni Stadium. With the victory the Irish are now 29-4-2 in season openers.
Graduate student Olivia Wingate finished with a brace for the second time in her career, scoring the opener in the seventh minute and then adding another goal in the 74th minute to cap off her stellar performance.
Freshman Leah Klenke also found the back of the net, scoring in her collegiate debut.
The Irish defense was impenetrable all evening, allowing just one shot on the evening, which was not on target.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish were on the front foot from the opening whistle, dominating the run of play. The early pressure paid off, as a ball over the top from Brianna Martinez connected with Wingate who slotted her effort past the diving goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute.
Notre Dame wasted no time adding a second goal to the scoreboard, as Klenke opened her Fighting Irish account just 44 seconds later with a strike that the Marquette keeper got a piece of but it wasn’t enough to stop the goal, putting Notre Dame ahead 2-0 with less than eight minutes into the season.
The Fighting Irish controlled the rest of the half, consistently pouring forward and putting the Eagles’ backline under duress. Notre Dame outshot the visitors 10-0 over the opening 45 minutes of play.
The Irish picked up right where they left off to start the second half, controlling possession and creating chances. Notre Dame capped off its impressive performance in the 74th minute with its third goal of the night, as Wingate doubled her tally with a superb right-footed strike that was tucked inside the far post. The ball was delivered from sophomore Maddie Mooney, who notched her first career assist.
UP NEXT
The Irish remain home for opening weekend, hosting Western Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 21 at Noon ET.
— ND —