FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s soccer season came to a close on Friday with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss against Memphis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Razorback Field.
Meg Mrowicki and Maddie Mercado each found the back of the net in the match for Notre Dame but the two goals were not enough.
The Fighting Irish end the 2023 campaign with a record of 12-4-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame put a couple of efforts on frame in the opening stages of play from the edge of the area but the Memphis keeper was up to the task making the saves.
However in the 16th minute the Tigers managed to strike first. Memphis whipped a cross into the box and Finley Lavin collected the loose ball and scored the opener in a scramble to put Memphis on top 1-0.
The Irish continued to pressure the Memphis defensive back line, forcing the Tigers goalkeeper to make two impressive saves off shots from Maddie Mercado and Logan Roy.
The pressure paid off right before the half, as Notre Dame forced a turnover in the attacking third and Kristina Lynch’s cross connected with Mrowicki, who settled the ball and clinically finished to level the score at 1-1 in the 44th minute.
The two teams traded half chances over the opening 30 minutes of the second half before the Tigers earned a free kick in a dangerous area. Memphis’ Saorla Miller struck her free kick off the post and in to retake the lead at 2-1.
Less than two minutes later the Tigers struck again to double their lead at 3-1 in the 77th minute off a strike from Ashley Henderson.
Notre Dame refused to go quietly, as it cut the lead to one just two minutes after allowing the third goal. Mercado put her left foot through the ball on a one-time effort from outside the box to rocket the ball into the top corner, making the score 3-2 in the 79th minute.
The Irish were inches away from once again leveling the match in the 81st minute, as Mercado created space inside the box and fired a shot off the crossbar. Unfortunately for Notre Dame, that was as close as it came to tying the contest, as Memphis managed to hold on to the 3-2 win to advance to the NCAA Tournament Third Round.
— ND –