CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Senior Aiden McFadden was the hero on Sunday afternoon, scoring a free kick goal in the 100th minute to deliver Notre Dame the 1-0 overtime win over UNC in the ACC quarterfinals.
McFadden couldn’t have picked a better time to score his first goal of the season, as he has played the role of supplier for the majority of the season, totaling four assists. On the other end of the field, goalkeeper Keagan McLaughlin recorded his third clean sheet of the year while making a career-high five saves.
The Irish will face top-seeded Pitt in the ACC Championship semifinals at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 18 on ACCN for a chance to play in Sunday’s title game in Cary, North Carolina.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish nearly grabbed an early lead in the opening minutes, as Aiden McFadden struck a free kick from just outside the box that the UNC goalkeeper barely managed to parry off the crossbar in the sixth minute.
Notre Dame had another golden opportunity in the 21st minute. Jack Lynn got behind the Tar Heel back line and fired a low shot on frame but the UNC keeper turned the shot away to keep the match scoreless.
Neither side created many quality chances for the majority of the second chance but the Irish offense had two looks at goal in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Patrick Coleman ripped a shot from just outside the box just over the bar and McFadden had a near-post effort pushed out for a corner but neither team could score, sending the game to overtime at 0-0.
After an uneventful first nine minutes of overtime, freshman Matthew Radivojsa earned a free kick just off the edge of the box. McFadden whipped in a low shot that found the back of the net to deliver the Irish the victory in the final minute of the first overtime session.
HEAD COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“I am obviously very proud of the group, we knew coming to UNC is always a difficult game, but we found a way. I am so proud of our mental strength and resilience. This team loves to compete. Now it’s all about recovery and getting ready for the next one.”
STAT OF THE MATCH
Notre Dame has now progressed to the semifinals of the ACC Championships five times in just eight seasons playing in the league.
NOTES OF THE MATCH
- The Irish improve to 9-5-2 in the ACC Championships over their eight years in the league and have won at least one tournament match in every season.
- Notre Dame is now 2-0 in overtime games this season.
- The Irish have defeated UNC in away matches in each of their two ACC Championship meetings, previously defeating the Tar Heels 2-1 during the 2017 tournament.
- McFadden’s goal was his first of the season and sixth of his career.
- McLaughlin recorded his third clean sheet of the season and sixth of his career.
- McLaughlin made a career-high five saves to preserve the shutout.
UP NEXT
The Irish move on to the ACC semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and will play No. 1 Pitt at 8 p.m. ET on ACCN in Raleigh, North Carolina at NC State.
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