ST LOUIS. – The Notre Dame women’s soccer team (3-0) remains unbeaten in 2022 with a big 2-0 road victory over No. 19 Saint Louis (2-1) on Thursday night.
After waiting out a two-hour lightning delay, the Fighting Irish tallied two goals in the second half to pick up their first-ranked victory of the year in a venue that’s tough to earn a W. In fact, SLU was 52-5-6 (.873) in its last 63 games at Hermann Stadium entering tonight’s contest.
Sophomore Korbin Albert continued to prove she’s one of the best in the country with a superb free-kick goal from distance that proved as the game-winner. Fellow sophomore Sophia Fisher added an insurance goal later in the second half, her first of the season as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen .. @Korbinalbert2
ND 1 – SLU 0 | 56'#GoIrish ☘️ pic.twitter.com/s7jHw7EQy0
— ND Women's Soccer (@NDSoccer) August 26, 2022
Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s defense continued to flex its muscle, only allowing two shots total, including its first on net in three games this season.
Tonight also marked the first time since 2010 the Irish have started a season with three straight shutouts. Overall, it’s the fifth time in program history Notre Dame has started with three shutout victories (1994, 1995, 2008, 2010 and 2022).
How It Happened
Olivia Wingate nearly got the Irish on the board in the third minute of the match as a through ball found the grad student in the box, but her toe poke couldn’t get past the keeper.
In the 22nd minute, Klenke delivered a beautiful ball from the left side to the far post where Mercado one-timed a shot, but SLU keeper Emily Puricelli made a quick-reaction save to keep the score 0-0.
Defensively, Geatino shone bright with under 20 minutes remaining in the half. First, it was a big clearing header, then moments later she cut off a cross at the six-yard box, negating yet another attack.
Fast forward to the 34th minute and some nifty back-heel passes around the box led to a pass to an open Wingate on the far post but her shot went just wide.
After a two-hour lightning delay, the match restarted with a Notre Dame free-kick in which the Irish nearly scored off a Gaetino header.
The score remained deadlocked heading into halftime and it was none other than Albert who broke through for the Irish. The sophomore stepped up and took a free kick from distance outside the box and it was perfectly placed in the corner for the goal in the 56th minute.
After the Billikens incurred a red card in the 68th minute, the Irish continued to pour on the pressure. Thus, six minutes later, sophomore Sophia Fisher added to the score with her first goal of the season, putting away a loose ball in the middle of the box.
Up Next
The Irish look to keep the positive momentum rolling when they return home on Sunday, Aug. 28, for a 4 pm ET battle with Illinois inside Alumni Stadium.