The No. 2 Notre Dame women’s soccer team will play host to No. 5 Florida State this Thursday at Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in what’s expected to be one of the premier games of the college soccer season.
Led by the 12 goals of All-American sophomore Izzy Engle – a mark that places her third in the country – Notre Dame has soared to an undefeated 10-0-1 record and are seen as College Cup favorites. Engle’s exemplary play has been complemented by classmate Anabelle Chukwu. The Canadian international, splitting time between forward and midfield, has scored eight goals and dished out two assists.
Chukwu’s hat trick propelled the Irish to a 3-0 victory over Michigan State in early September, and she has provided a point in all but four games this season.
Engle and Chukwu were both recently named to the Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List, alongside senior defender Leah Klenke. Klenke’s willingness to join the attack has proved successful for head coach Nate Norman’s team. Her presence has created overloads that opposing defenses have struggled to deal with.
Through 11 games, the Irish have scored a blistering 39 goals. Alongside the talented attacking tandem of Engle and Chukwu is fellow sophomore Ellie Hodsden. A menacing forward herself, Hodsden has notched five goals. Altogether, the Irish’s three main goal-scorers combine for 25 of the team’s 39 goals.
Norman will rely on the Irish’s stars to come up big once again as they square off against a Seminoles team that has been on a tear. Also undefeated, Florida State has accumulated a near-perfect 8-0-2 record. They have recorded several big ACC wins, most notably a 1-0 win on the road at No. 18 North Carolina.
At the forefront of the Seminoles’ attack is sophomore Wrianna Hudson. Despite starting only five games, Hudson has notched eight goals. Junior Jordynn Dudley has also thrived — to the surprise of none. Named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Dudley was the heart and soul behind the Seminoles’ National Championship two seasons ago.
The two teams have a similar profile: an undefeated record and immensely talented attackers. Notre Dame’s lone tie this season came on the road to No. 6 Arkansas. In a humid August fixture, the Irish battled for the full 90 against one of the SEC’s most elite programs.
As for Florida State, their season has followed a similar path. They’ve recorded marquee in-state wins against the likes of Florida, Stetson and FAU and they’ve failed to claim all three points just twice. Those two matches were against Kansas and NC State. Both were 1-1 scorelines. Important to note, those two goals allowed are the only Florida State have conceded all season. But, somehow, that’s not even the Seminoles’ most impressive stat. That distinction belongs to the fact that Florida State’s last loss came on Oct. 6 of last season.
Although Florida State was upset by Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament Second Round, the match was decided in penalties and is thus recorded as a draw in the final record book.
If the Irish are to take three points from this match, they’ll retain their position atop the ACC table. Coming into the match with a 5-0 record, Notre Dame’s 15 points are two ahead of the Seminoles. If the Seminoles win, they will jump Notre Dame.
While there is uncertainty regarding who will end up as the top side in the ACC, one thing is clear: Notre Dame is hungry for a win. After stumbling to Florida State 2-1 in the ACC quarterfinals a season ago, the Irish are eager for revenge.
Between the Irish big-three of Engle, Chukwu and Klenke and Florida State’s playmakers in Hudson and Dudley, Thursday night will be a battle of the stars.
The match from Alumni Stadium will be nationally broadcast on the ACC Network and admission is free.
