SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The overall No. 2 seed Fighting Irish men’s soccer team turned in a complete performance, posting a 2-0 win over Kentucky to advance to the NCAA Championship Round of 16.
Notre Dame will play Western Michigan at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 26. The winner will advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals to face the winner of No. 7 Virginia and Indiana.
Both Irish goals came in the second half, as Bryce Boneau continued his fine form with the opener before Nolan Spicer scored the first goal of his career to help put the match away.
Bryan Dowd finished the evening with three saves to earn his ninth clean sheet of the season, Notre Dame’s 10th.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame allowed a few chances to Kentucky in the early stages and then grew into the match as the first half progressed. Dowd made a huge save in the 14th minute, as a Kentucky forward was in on goal to keep the contest scoreless.
The Irish produced the best scoring opportunity of the first half in the 27th minute. Russo fired a shot from the top of the box that was destined for the back of the net but the Kentucky keeper dove and pushed the ball onto the bar to keep Notre Dame off the scoreboard.
Russo had another chance in the 39th minute, but sent the ball wide of the near post into the side netting which kept the score at 0-0 heading into the halftime intermission.
Notre Dame came out of the break and instantly put Kentucky’s backline under pressure, earning multiple corners and free kicks in the first few minutes.
The continuous siege paid off, as the Irish found the opener in the 49th minute thanks to Boneau. KK Baffour slipped Boneau into the box and the junior made no mistake with the finish, sliding his effort past the keeper to put Notre Dame up 1-0.
The Irish continued to keep their foot on the gas, pushing for the second goal to extend the lead. In the 79th minute Notre Dame did just that, as Michael Rossi played Spicer in on goal. The freshman rounded the keeper who came running off his line and comfortably finished into the open net to double the lead at 2-0.
Notre Dame’s defense did a good job of seeing the rest of the match out, keeping the shutout intact for the 2-0 victory.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the performance…
“I am very proud and pleased with the performance. Give credit to Kentucky, they are an excellent team and played well on the night….