Women’s Soccer

Carrie Philips

 

The nation’s top team, Notre Dame [23-0-0], downed Michigan State [14-7-3] in round two of the NCAA tournament, today, ending the Spartans’ season.   

The Fighting Irish controlled the action for most of the game, with 29 shots compared to MSU’s three shots – their fewest number of shots in a game all season. 

Spartan’s freshman keeper Jill Flietstra put on an impressive performance in the net, racking up a career-best seven saves and holding off the Irish high-octane offense for the entire first half.  But the Notre Dame offense proved to be too much when Rose Augustin avoided a charging Flietstra and found the net off a lead pass from Kerri Hanks. 

While the Spartans had several attacks throughout the game, the Irish closed in quickly and kept Michigan State from turning attacks into points, and most of the time not even allowing a shot.   

Notre Dame held on to their single goal lead to take the victory and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.  They will face the Big Ten’s regular season title co-champs, Minnesota, on either November 21, 22, or 23 – the official date and time being announced after publishing of this story.