SOUTH BEND, Indiana - No. 3 Notre Dame (10-0-1) continued their impressive run with a 3-1 victory over Louisville (10-3) in Atlantic Coast Conference women's soccer action on Friday evening at Alumni Stadium. The Fighting Irish extended their winning streak to nine matches while handing the Cardinals their first loss in three games.
The match saw both teams create early opportunities, with Annabelle Chukwu testing the Louisville defense in the opening minutes. The breakthrough came for Notre Dame in the first half, while Louisville managed to equalize before the break. The Fighting Irish would add two more goals in the second half to secure the victory.
Notre Dame controlled much of the first-half tempo, with Izzy Engle and Annabelle Chukwu creating multiple chances. Chukwu's shot in the 52nd minute sailed just wide, while Emersen Jennings provided Louisville's best opportunity in the 10th minute with a shot that went high. The Cardinals' defense, led by Brooklyn Lee, withstood significant pressure as Notre Dame generated eight first-half shots.
The second half saw Notre Dame assert their dominance, with Lily Joseph and Ellie Hodsden leading the attack. Joseph's presence in midfield proved crucial, though she would later receive a yellow card in the 84th minute for unsporting behavior. Louisville's Emersen Jennings continued to threaten on the counter, registering a dangerous shot in the 53rd minute that required attention from the Notre Dame defense.
The final statistics reflected Notre Dame's control of the match, as they outshot Louisville 22-11, including a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Fighting Irish also held the edge in corner kicks (6-3), while Louisville's goalkeeper was forced into seven saves compared to Notre Dame's two. The physical nature of the match saw both teams commit multiple fouls, with Notre Dame receiving the only yellow card.
Individual performances highlighted the evening, with Annabelle Chukwu recording multiple shots for Notre Dame before being substituted in the 68th minute. Louisville's Emersen Jennings proved dangerous throughout her time on the pitch, while Lily Joseph's midfield presence for Notre Dame helped control the tempo despite her late caution.
Tactically, Notre Dame's approach emphasized wide play and quick transitions, utilizing the speed of their forwards to stretch Louisville's defense. The Cardinals attempted to counter through quick breaks, with Jennings and Liza Suydam leading several promising attacks before being substituted in the 60th minute as part of Louisville's tactical adjustments.
The result maintains Notre Dame's unbeaten record this season, while Louisville suffered just their third loss of the campaign. The Fighting Irish's performance demonstrated why they're among the nation's top-ranked teams, showing both offensive prowess and defensive stability throughout the ninety minutes.
Both teams made extensive use of their benches, with multiple substitutions throughout the match. Notable changes included Notre Dame's removal of Charlie Codd and Ellie Hodsden at various points, while Louisville adjusted their lineup with the introductions of Emma Kate Schroll and Fina Davy in the latter stages.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will face Florida State in their next match on October 9, while Louisville travels to Wake Forest on the same date. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances from this competitive ACC clash.