Notre Dame women’s soccer finished their regular season tonight. It’s final record will go down as 13-1-2 and 8-1-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. It’s one loss came in their final game of the regular season against Pittsburgh. The team went into the game ranked No. 1. Regardless of the devastating loss, the Irish played an incredibly impressive season, proving each game that their athleticism, skill and chemistry can compete against any team. No doubt the Irish will come out hungry in the post-season.
The game was hard-fought, with a final score of 0-1. The score was 0-0 until the final five minutes of the competition. Pitt scored the winning goal off a corner kick late in the second half. With a well-placed corner the header from junior defensive player Mya Archibald assisted by forward Margaret Wilde, a senior from Pennsylvania. This was Archibald’s second goal on the season. Pitt entered the contest 5-10-2 overall and 1-8-0 in ACC play. This win was much needed for Pitt as they clawed their way out of a six game slump.
Notre Dame out-shot Pitt in the game, putting up 16 shots to their 13. Pitt also committed more fouls during the match, an 11 to Notre Dame’s eight. On the other hand, they both played even matches as the Irish put up eight shots in both halves and Pitt added six shots in the first half and seven in the second half. Notre Dame had two corner kicks in each half, while Pitt took four in the first and two in the second. Sophomore goalie Sonoma Kasica made four saves during the game. Pitt’s goalkeeper, redshirt junior Abby Reisz, made six stops during the contest. Overall, the Irish left it all out on the field to finish their season against Pitt.
The goal at 85:32 was a heartbreaking moment for the Irish who were seeking an undefeated season, only having wins and draws going into their final challenge of the regular season. Regardless of this loss, the Irish have a great chance of being a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the ACC tournament, and still have the chance to win the conference tournament championship and continue their season into the NCAA tournament.
