SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The United Soccer Coaches poll took notice of Notre Dame women’s soccer’s big week with wins over NC State and No. 3 Florida State, jumping the Irish 11 positions to No. 6. This week, the Irish (11-2-0, 4-2-0) turn their attention to the Louisville Cardinals (5-5-2, 2-4-0). They’ll hit the road for a Saturday night matchup at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium at 7 pm ET. The match will be streamed on ACCNX.
IRISH RESUME
In the RPI rankings on Oct. 10, the Irish came in at the No. 4 spot behind UCLA, North Carolina and Alabama. Notre Dame is 4-2 against the RPI Top-25, which marks the most wins of any team in the country. Furthermore, the Irish are 5-2 against the Top-50 and 7-2 against the Top-100.
The Irish boast four ranked wins on the season, including two against the top-three: No. 19 Saint Louis (road game), No. 22 Wisconsin, No. 2 Virginia and No. 3 Florida State
Notre Dame’s strength of schedule ranks 11th in the country.
STATEMENT VICTORIES – TOP-THREE’S GOING DOWN
With a 1-0 victory over No. 2 Virginia and a dominant 4-0 win over No. 3 Florida State, Notre Dame has now earned two top-three wins during the regular season for the first time in program history. In addition, it marks the first time Notre Dame has beaten both Virginia and Florida State in the same season since joining the ACC in 2013.
For Notre Dame, it was its largest win against a top-3 program since Sept. 8, 2000 (6-1 win over #2 Santa Clara).
Not to mention, defensively, both games were shutouts, with Virginia and FSU combining for just 6 shots on goal.
The Irish will also get one more opportunity at a top-12 ranked ACC team before the season’s end — No. 12 Duke in the home finale on Oct. 27.
QUOTABLES AFTER FSU WIN
“That is what we should bring to every single game. That energy and that ability to keep the ball and attack and press teams. We talk about our identity being the best press team in the country and that was phenomenal. We were relentless and risk-taking and we also had that grit. This is our standard now. This is what we do.” – Doug & Lisa Jones Family Head Coach Nate Norman
“There is 100% a mentality difference. Going into these games, if we do what we do and we do it right, we will win these games. And that’s what I think we showed today. We have more confidence. I think we just need to have the humility to know that every game from here on out is going to be a battle, and we’re going to have to…