SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The top-seeded Fighting Irish men’s soccer team suffered a wild 4-3 heartbreaker at Alumni Stadium in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals against Louisville on Sunday evening.
The Irish trailed the Cardinals 3-0 with less than 30 minutes left in the match and fought valiantly to level the score at 3-3 by the 88th minute. Unfortunately though the visitors scored the winner a minute later in the 89th minute to escape with the victory.
Notre Dame now waits to find out its path in the NCAA Tournament, as the NCAA Selection Show will air on Monday, Nov. 13.
Bryce Boneau led the attacking charge for the Irish with a career night, recording a brace and an assist to finish with a career-high five points. Kyle Genenbacher scored his first goal of the season and Daniel Russo finished with a career-best two assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish controlled play early, dominating in the midfield for the opening stages of play. However, Louisville managed to strike first to take a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute off a volley from a long throw in. The visitors took the 1-0 advantage into the halftime break.
Louisville quickly added two more goals to its lead at the beginning of the second half, scoring twice in the first seven minutes to go on top 3-0 in the 52nd minute.
Notre Dame refused to go away quietly, pulling a goal back in the 66th minute off a corner. Russo headed the ball into the mixer and Boneau laid off a pass to Genenbacher, who fired inside the bottom left corner to cut the lead to 3-1.
Just three minutes later the Irish struck again, this time with Boneau providing the finish. Russo fired in an in-swinging cross to the box, which connected with Boneau on a diving header in the 69th minute to trim the lead to one at 3-2.
Notre Dame continued to desperately search for the equalizer, as the attack began to come in waves and in the 88th minute the constant pressure paid off, as Boneau once again found the back of the net. Ethan O’Brien floated a free kick into the area and Genenbacher’s effort from inside the six was saved from point-blank range. Boneau managed to rise highest on the rebound to nod the ball in to level the match at 3-3, sending the Irish faithful into a frenzy.
Louisville managed to regroup and won a free kick in the final third a minute later, and scored the winner off the set piece to escape with the 4-3 win.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“I am obviously…