Notre Dame women’s soccer will travel to East Lansing on Thursday night for a square off against No. 17 Michigan State. Fresh off an eye-catching 8-0 thrashing of Oakland, a game in which seven different players found the back of the net, the Irish are looking to keep their hot start to the season alive. This time it can mean avenging a 1-2 home loss to the Spartans last season.
Prior to their sumptuous victory against the Golden Grizzlies, the Irish knocked off Cincinnati and Michigan by a combined score of 7-0. Sophomore Izzy Engle scored a brace in each game. Engle also netted a pair of goals in Notre Dame’s season opener against Western Michigan.
Overall, through five games to start the year, the Irish are 4-0-1. Their only blemish came on the road in a hard-fought 2-2 draw against No. 8 Arkansas. Notre Dame has scored 19 goals and only allowed 3 so far. Their remarkable start to the 2025 campaign matches expectations going into the season.
Heading into the year, the Irish were ranked No. 2 in the country — their highest mark since 2011, the year following the team’s last national championship. Meanwhile, Engle and senior captain Leah Klenke were named preseason All-ACC. Engle was also added to the Mac Hermann Trophy watchlist.
If the Irish continue to cruise their way to impressive victories, Engle will likely be at the forefront of their efforts. Her relentless pressing in the attacking third combined with her composure inside the box makes her one of the most unique players in college soccer. The Spartans will have to keep a watchful eye on the goal-getting Engle if they are to keep the game close.
However, even if the Spartans execute that part of their game-plan to perfection, they will still have to deal with the other potent attacking threats Notre Dame possesses. Fellow sophomore Ellie Hodsden has already notched three goals on the year, while sophomore Anabelle Chukwu is finding her elite form once again as she scored a goal in each of the last two games.
In the middle of the park, the Irish’s grouping of Laney Matriano, Grace Restovich, Charlie Codd and Chayse Ying have won just about every 50/50 ball they’ve had they chance to compete for. The tenacity of that group is the backbone of the Irish’s tactics. Head coach Nate Norman likes to drop his team behind the ball on the defense, and he wisely uses the midfield as a link from the defensive to attacking phases of play.
Notre Dame are up against a Spartans team that are likewise not lacking in the goals department.
Powered by Renee Watson’s two goals and two assists, the Spartans trounced Milwaukee 9-0 en route to their 400th win in program history. Seven of the nine goals were notched in the second-half.
In the previous match, Michigan State took down NC State 3-0. Freshman goalkeeper Noelle Henning produced a strong outing in that fixture. The Canadian senior international, who has a plethora of accolades attached to her name, will pose a strong test to Notre Dame’s star-studded attack.
Overall, Michigan State is 3-1-2 on the year. They are coming off of an uncharacteristic 5-2 loss on the road at Xavier. The Spartans defense were not up to their usual standard, surrendering 19 shots. If Michigan State is to give the Irish a true run for their money, they have to find their footing in the defensive third once again.
The game has all the makings to be highly competitive and will be a great challenge for Notre Dame before they enter the gauntlet that is conference play. The match will be broadcast on the Fox Sports App at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4.
