SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 5 Notre Dame women’s soccer team (12-2-0, 5-2-0) moved up one spot in the national rankings and will take its now top-5 ranking to Blacksburg on Thursday in a showdown against Virginia Tech (9-4-2, 3-3-1). Oddly enough for conference opponents, the Fighting Irish have not played the Hokies since 2018. With a win, they can even the series against them, currently trailing, 3-4-0.
A.C.C. – A CROWDED CREW
With its recent string of big wins, Notre Dame has caused quite the crowded field atop an ACC leaderboard in which only six teams make the conference tournament. The Irish are 5-2 and tied for second place alongside North Carolina and Duke. Florida State sits alone in first at 6-1. Keep in mind, the top-two teams will receive a first-round bye in the conference tournament.
Historically speaking, Notre Dame has won 11 BIG EAST tournament crowns but are still searching for its first ACC title, let alone first title game. A top-two seed and a bye would be a great start to that quest.
NCAA SOCCER COMMITTEE REVEALS TOP-10
The NCAA women’s soccer committee revealed its midseason top-10 on Oct. 13 and Notre Dame checked in at No. 3. In fact six of the spots belong to ACC teams. In order: UCLA, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida State, Virginia, Duke, Arkansas, Pitt, Northwestern.
If it were to hold, the Irish could secure their first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 2008.
IRISH RESUME
In the RPI rankings on Oct. 16, the Irish came in at the No. 4 spot behind Alabama, UCLA and North Carolina. Notre Dame is 3-2 against the current RPI Top-25. 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 19th in the country.
The Irish have been all over the United Soccer Coaches despite the 12-2-0 record: No. 16 – Unranked – No. 16 – No. 12 – No. 6 – No. 18 – No. 16 – No. 17 – No. 6 – No. 5.
HOLD THE LINE
The Irish backline of Gaetino, Hudson and Klenke has only allowed 32 shots on goal over 14 games – which equates to a stout 2.3 SOG per game. Even shots in general, opponents are averaging just 6.9 against the Irish.
Six games this season the Irish backline has only allowed one SOG or fewer: NC State (Oct. 6), Boston College (9/30), Virginia…