NOTRE DAME, Indiana — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team had another offensive outburst at Alumni Stadium to keep up its winning ways as the Irish defeated St. John’s 4-0 Sunday night.
A pair of players recorded their first career goals as Camryn Dyke scored in the first half and Jenna Winebrenner netted her goal in the opening minutes of the second half. Brooke VanDyck and Olivia Wingate provided the other two goals and the Irish extended their winning streak to four to begin the 2019 season.
“It meant a lot, it was one of the best moments of my life,” said Dyke. “Very excited for the team to get another win, it was an awesome day, an awesome moment and I will remember that one for sure.”
“It was fun to be able to play up get some scoring chances and to score my first career goal,” said Winebrenner. “Luisa did all the work on the cross and I was there to finish it off.”
How it Happened
In the 35th minute, the Irish had a great chance which was started by a run up the right side from Wingate. She sent a cross into the box that was deflected back out to a St. John’s defender who tried to clear the ball. Dyke intercepted the pass and immediately fired a shot from outside the box. The ball cleared the keeper and snuck under the top bar for her first career goal and gave the Irish an early advantage.
Early in the second half, the Irish kept the offensive pressure up and it paid off in the 50th minute.
Luisa Delgado held the St. John’s defender off on the left side of the box and was able to send a cross towards the far post. Winebrenner was streaking towards the ball and volleyed the cross to the opposite side of the net for the goal. Winebrenner’s goal was the first of her career and extended the Irish lead early in the second half.
The Irish did not stop there as they had another great scoring chance in the 58th minute.
Sammi Fisher got the ball in the midfield and took it into the attacking third, weaving through the Red Storm defense. She played a ball up into the box where Delgado again sent a cross in, this time towards the top of the box. VanDyck picked it out of the air with her right foot and while the goalkeeper got a hand on the shot, the ball made it into the back of the net for VanDyck’s first goal of the season.
The final tally of the match came off a set piece as the Irish were fouled in their attacking third and Maddie Mercado was set to take the free kick. She sent the ball bending away from the far post and Kate O’Connor got her head on it and sent it towards the goal. The ball hit the inside of the right post and stayed right on the goaline until Olivia Wingate chested the ball across the line for her first goal of the season and the fourth of the night for the Irish.
The Irish closed out the final 15 minutes for their third shutout of the season. A number of players saw the field in the second half, gaining valuable minutes that will help the Irish as the season goes on. All in all, 22 players saw action Sunday night, including five freshmen.
Stats of the Match
- Notre Dame improves to 4-0 to begin the season for the first time since the 2015 season.
- Camryn Dyke and Jenna Winebrenner collected their first career goals against St. John’s.
- All four goal-scorers tallied their first goal of the season. The Irish now have seven different players that have scored a goal this season after having just eight all of last season.
Coming Up Next
The Irish will embark on a two-game road swing through Michigan next week starting Friday night as they take on Michigan. Friday’s match is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET start and will be broadcast on BTN+.
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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