Written by Chris Studer
Photo Credit: UND.com
This Saturday the Fighting Irish Football team is not the only Irish team taking the field. The other football team will be squaring off as well. And no, Notre Dame does not have a junior varsity football team that is playing in some alternate sports universe, we’re talking about European football (futbol)! Notre Dame’s women’s soccer team will be facing off against the Omaha Mavericks in the NCAA Tournament’s first round.
After falling short of hoisting the ACC tournament trophy the Irish look ahead to the NCAA Tournament to claim some hardware for the team. The team comes into the tournament with a target on its back after earning the #1 seed.
This Irish team has numerous personal achievements and honors bestowed upon several of its members. The Irish has several players picked for All ACC honors; with Eva Gaetino, Korbin Albert, and Olivia Wingate all being selected for the First Team; Maddie Mercado and Mackenzie Wood were picked for the Third Team; and Leah Klenke was selected for the Freshman Team of the Year. And finally, Nate Norman was selected as the ACC Coach of the Year in only his fifth year at the helm. This team is stacked with talent from the backline all the way up to the strikers. This is a team that could take the Irish back to the quarter finals (which they have not reached since 2012) and even further. Coming off two ties in the ACC Tournament and falling in the second penalty kick shootout the Irish will be looking for a
statement win against the Mavericks.
Photo Credit: UND.com
This will be no small feat, however. While the Mavericks record (7-8-6) does not jump out at you as quite the powerhouse, the team will be coming into the game with high emotions and a string of positive results. The Mavericks played last weekend in the Summit League Women's Soccer Championship, defeating a quality Oral Roberts team on penalty kicks to claim the title. Playing as an underdog always helps, just ask the Irish football team about their game last weekend. But if we know anything about the Irish is that they will come ready to play and will not be resting on their laurels. This is a team that has scored 22 goals in the last 9 games while only conceding 6. Look for the Irish to get on the board early, stifle the Mavericks attack and add a couple insurance goals in the second half. Go IRISH!
Prediction: Irish 3- Mavericks 0
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 | 2 p.m. ET
Where: South Bend, IN | Alumni Stadium
Watch: ESPN+