SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The overall No. 2 seed Fighting Irish men’s soccer team advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a gritty performance in penalties by a mark of 4-2 to get past Western Michigan in front of a packed Alumni Stadium.
Notre Dame played with 10-men for the final 84 minutes of play after KK Baffour was sent off with a red card in the 26th minute of play. The Irish defense held the nation’s sixth-ranked scoring attack scoreless despite being down a man.
The Irish jumped out in front of the penalty shootout, as Bryan Dowd made a huge diving save followed by a make from Matthew Roou. The next Western Michigan taker put his effort off the post and then Paddy Burns sent the keeper the wrong way to put Notre Dame up 2-0 after two rounds.
Both Western Michigan and Eno Nto of Notre Dame converted during the third round to move the score to 3-1. The next Bronco penalty taker scored, giving Daniel Russo the chance to send the Irish to the quarterfinals. The senior clinically dispatched his shot inside the right post to keep the Irish alive in the tourney.
Dowd was sensational on the evening, making seven saves and posting a clean sheet.
Full Recap to Follow