SOUTH BEND, Ind. – No. 11 Notre Dame women’s soccer did not let an early Boston College goal faze them. Instead, the Fighting Irish (8-1-3, 4-0-1) did they they do best – settle in, apply tremendous pressure and continue to put shots up. The result – a 3-1 win at home over the Eagles (3-8-2, 0-5-0).
Two players had career hights for the Irish. Offensively, it was senior Ellie Ospeck, who recorded a career-best four-point night behind one goal and two assists. Defensively, it was freshman goalkeeper Atlee Olofson, who made a season best eight saves.
Tonight’s goal scorers included Ospeck, Charlie Codd and Maddie Mercado. Ospeck and Mercado are now tied for the team lead in points with 12.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was not the start Notre Dame expected as Boston College got on the board in the fifth minute. The Eagles’ Emily Sapienza hit a low-lining shot in which Olofson made a great diving save on. However, BC’s Ella Richards got lost behind the Irish defense and got the rebound putback for the score.
After that, the Irish played catch up for the remainder of the half, but they finally got that coveted equalizer in the 35th minute.
Notre Dame’s assist leader Leah Klenke hit one of her patented crosses into the box. Ospeck had the initial header that was saved, but it was Codd who had the timely rebound putback this time.
For the freshman Codd, it marked her first in an Irish uniform. For Klenke, her team-leading assist number grew to seven.
As a result, both teams went into the halftime break deadlocked at 1-1.
In the first 20 minutes of the second half, Kristina Lynch had two near misses in the box. Now with time dwindling down, Ospeck netted the game-winner in the 72nd minute. It was a fantastic buildup too.
At midfield, Mercado found a streaking Morgan Roy down the right side. Roy gets a step on her defender, works it down close to the box, and crosses to Lynch who back passes it to Ospeck. The senior then drills the one-time shot high and in. Ospeck scored her fourth goal of the season and second game-winner.
Later, in the 89th minute, Mercado said wait a minute, I want in on the fun. The graduate student then recorded a signature Mercado rocket from distance. It marked her team-leading fifth goal of the season.
UP NEXT
It’s an early Senior Day celebration as we honor several Irish on Sunday, Oct. 8. Notre Dame will host Miami on that Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
– ND –