Aug. 24, 2017
By Megan Golden
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Riding a dominant victory on its home turf, the No. 24 University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team is set to travel to Iowa City for its first road test of the season. The Irish (1-0-1) will face Minnesota (1-0-1) at 6 p.m. ET on Friday at the Iowa Soccer Complex and will stay inside the Big Ten and compete against Iowa (1-0) at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The weekend finale against Iowa will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus.
WHAT: No. 24 Notre Dame vs. Minnesota
WHEN: 6 p.m. ET on August 25, 2017
WHERE: Iowa Soccer Complex
LIVE STATS: N/A
WHAT: No. 24 Notre Dame at Iowa
WHEN: 3 p.m. ET on August 27, 2017
WHERE: Iowa Soccer Complex
LIVE STATS: Click here.
LIVE STREAM: Big Ten Network Plus
Series History
Notre Dame is 2-1 in the all-time series against Minnesota. The Irish have won the last two matchups versus the Gophers with the most recent battle coming on Aug. 20, 2010 (1-0 victory at Alumni Stadium). All three matchups between the two programs have been decided by one goal, with each outcome coming in 1-0 fashion.
The Irish hold a slight 1-0 advantage in the all-time series over the Hawkeyes. Notre Dame last played Iowa on Nov. 15, 2013, when the Irish defeated the Hawkeyes 4-1 at Alumni Stadium in the NCAA Championship First Round.
Away From Home
Notre Dame will face its first opponent away from Alumni Stadium this season, beginning with a neutral-site matchup versus Minnesota on Friday. The Irish will continue their schedule with a true road game against Iowa on Sunday afternoon.
The Irish finished their 2016 road slate with a 3-1-4 record, highlighted by wins over North Carolina State, Louisville and Wake Forest. Notre Dame went 0-1 at a neutral site last season.
In the Polls
Following the first weekend of women’s soccer regular-season action, the United Soccer Coaches Poll features seven nationally-ranked Atlantic Coast Conference teams. Notre Dame falls to No. 24 in the rankings, with North Carolina (No. 4), Florida State (No. 6), Virginia (No. 10), Duke (No. 12), Clemson (No. 13) and North Carolina State (No. 25) also making the top 25.
One of Notre Dame’s non-conference opponents also is featured in the rankings. No. 3 South Carolina will travel to Notre Dame on Sept. 1 for the first-ever matchup between the two programs.
Weekend Recap
Notre Dame finished the first weekend of the season with a 0-0 draw against Butler on Friday and a 4-0 victory over Ball State on Sunday.
Irish sophomore Jennifer Westendorf tallied a career-high-tying four points in Notre Dame’s win over Ball State. The forward scored one goal and collected two assists in the match.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brooke Littman collected her second career shutout in as many starts.
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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Megan Golden, athletics communications assistant director at the University of Notre Dame, has been part of the Fighting Irish athletics communications team since August of 2016. In her role, she coordinates all media efforts for the Notre Dame women’s soccer and cross country/track and field programs. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Golden is a 2014 graduate of Saint Mary’s College and former Irish women’s basketball manager. Prior to arriving at Notre Dame, she worked in public relations with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.