SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sunday will be the overall series rubber match between Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. The two are tied at 4-4-0 all-time. The two last squared off in Blacksburg during the 2022 season with the Irish taking that one, 1-0.
Presently, Notre Dame is 4-0-4 in ACC play. Their 16 points put them in a three-way tie for fifth place. Virginia Tech sits one point in front of them, thus a win is critical for a spot in this year’s ACC Tournament.
Virginia Tech marks Notre Dame’s fourth straight ranked opponent. They’ve gone 2-0-1 during this stretch, outscoring the opposition 11-5. If they get to five ranked wins by defeating No. 19 Virginia Tech on Sunday, it’ll mark the most ranked victories during the regular season since 2008.
No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 19 Virginia Tech will kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday inside Alumni Stadium. Admission is free. The game will be streamed on ACCNX.
HAD #1 ON THE ROPES
What a game it was down in Durham this past Thursday. No. 1 Duke scored the opening goal, but an Izzy Engle first-half brace gave the No. 7 Irish a 2-1 halftime lead. Annabelle Chukwu then scored in the opening minutes of the second half to give ND a 3-1 advantage. Duke later scored back-to-back goals in quick succession to tie it at 3-3.
Duke received a red card in the 62nd minute and played a woman down the rest of the game. Notre Dame created several chances, including its best one in the 79th minute—a penalty kick. Unfortunately, the PK was missed wide, and the two sides settled for a 3-3 draw.
Despite the draw leaving an unfavorable taste in the mouth, a lot of firsts were accomplished. It marked the most goals Notre Dame has scored in program history against the top-ranked team in the country. It also marked the first time Duke has given up multiple goals all season.
Izzy Engle’s brace marked the first time in program history that an Irish freshman recorded multiple goals against the No. 1 team in the country.
Sonoma Kasica came up huge in net tonight, time after time. She recorded a career-high eight saves.
TRENDING
- It was an Irish sweep of ACC awards on Oct. 22 as Ellie Hodsden earned Offensive, while Leah Klenke was named Defensive Player of the Week.
- Notre Dame’s +31 goal differential ranks 11th in the country and third in the ACC.
- Notre Dame’s scoring offense (2.73) ranks seventh nationally and third in the ACC. They average 2.6 assists per game which ranks 10th nationally and third in the ACC.
- Irish are 10-0…