SOUTH BEND, Ind. – It was Friday night lights for No. 13 Notre Dame women’s soccer team (5-1-2, 1-0-0) to open ACC play at Alumni Stadium. The Fighting Irish showed up and showed out, delighting over 1,300 fans with a 3-1 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-1-1, 0-0-1).
The star of the match – sophomore midfielder Leah Klenke – who registered two assists in the match. She now leads the team this season with five assists.
Scoring in her second straight game was Kristina Lynch, who put the Irish on the board in the sixth minute. Goal number two came right before the half in the 43rd minute courtesy of Ellie Ospeck. It was Notre Dame’s sixth goal off of a set-piece this season.
The third and final goal came from Maddie Mercado, who for the second straight game delivered a missile shot from outside the box and in. Mercado now leads the team with four goals, including two in the past two games.
Five Irish now have three goals or more this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish wasted no time dictating their will over the visiting Demon Deacons, finding the back of the net in the sixth minute. Leah Klenke posed a problem on the left side, constantly crossing balls into the box. Her first one found the foot of Lynch, who started up top. Lynch now boasts three goals on the season.
Fast forward to the 43rd minute when Ospeck scored. Mercado took a free kick from the right side from about 25 yards out. She noticed a gap that allowed a low cross to the middle of the box and Ospeck delivered yet again. Ospeck now has three goals as well.
Fast forward again to the 73rd minute. Despite being double-teamed at this point, Klenke still put a dangerous cross into the box. The ball ricocheted to Mercado, who launched a missile to the upper-90.
The Irish unfortunately couldn’t record the clean sheet, with Wake Forst garnering a goal in the 85th minute. Nonetheless, Notre Dame kicked off ACC play with a dominant 3-1 victory.
UP NEXT
The No. 13 Irish hit the road to Durham to challenge No. 15 Duke on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
– ND –