It’s championship or bust for the Notre Dame women’s soccer season in 2025. Despite their youth, the Irish are not lacking any bit of experience.
Led by a superstar sophomore class, Notre Dame boasts the best young core in the nation. At the forefront of that contingent is All-American Izzy Engle. The ruthless forward notched 19 goals last season, good for the second-highest total in the nation. Engle’s sublime technical ability is paired with elite speed and a clinical nature in front of the net, creating a test for any defense she goes up against.
However, Engle is by no means alone in the attacking third. Classmates Lily Joseph and Ellie Hodsen scored eight apiece last year, while Annabelle Chukwu chipped in with three. Servicing all of these goals was the creative midfielder Grace Restovich. Her 11 assists placed her 11th in the country.
Each forward brings an exciting new element to the attack. Joseph’s power, Hodsen’s tenacity and Chukwu’s composure inside the 18 all shine whenever they take the pitch.
Engle and Restovich were able to strengthen their chemistry throughout the offseason, as the dynamic duo suited up for the U19 U.S. Women’s National Team on several occasions. The pair went overseas and played against Spain, the Netherlands and England in the L’Albir Women’s International Tournament.
Despite the class of 2028 clocking in with five of the top six points tallies on the roster in 2024, they are complemented by several veterans expected to assume leadership roles this fall.
One of those players is 2024 First Team All-ACC honoree Leah Klenke. The senior centerback firmly established herself as one of the top players in the best conference in college soccer last season, despite missing the first seven games of the year due to playing at the U20 World Cup. Klenke was a brick wall in the back, and also was able to progress the ball into the attacking third. Her versatility will be on full display this fall.
Fellow senior Laney Matriano is also expected to play a key leadership role this fall. Matriano logged the most minutes of any player last fall with 1,846 and started all 22 games for head coach Nate Norman’s talented midfield.
With another talented freshman class incoming, headlined by the highly touted Tessa Knapp, the Irish’s depth has only grown more. Notre Dame has rightfully earned their preseason No. 2 rank in the country following a triumphant run to the NCAA Quarterfinals nine months ago, but the glitz and glamor of the high expectations are evened out by a grueling schedule.
The Irish have dates scheduled with reigning national champions North Carolina as well as preseason No. 1 Duke and No. 3 Florida State.
Their gauntlet doesn’t end there. The Irish will close the season with away games against preseason No. 15 Virginia Tech, reigning national finalists Wake Forest and a very potent Pitt side.
Norman will have to utilize his team’s depth wisely if the Irish are to compete for a top spot in the ACC. Between his talented crop of forwards, sublime midfield and veteran-led defense, Norman has the tools to turn this young Notre Dame team into a College Cup team.
Norman also has the right mindset. He has repeatedly mentioned that the Irish will be embracing an underdog mentality. If that’s the case, the Irish aren’t just another top team in the conference, they are the team. To get by Notre Dame will require near-perfect execution. It’s now up to the Irish to live up to the hype, with all eyes on this 2025 squad to become the program’s first College Cup team in 15 years.
