SOUTH BEND, INDIANA — #1 Notre Dame defeated UIC 4-0 on Saturday in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship, overwhelming the visiting Flames with relentless attacking pressure before 1,296 spectators. The Fighting Irish controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting UIC 40-5 while generating 14 shots on goal to the Flames' one.
Tessa Knapp opened the scoring in the 7th minute, giving Notre Dame an early advantage the visitors never threatened to overcome. Charlie Codd doubled the lead in the 64th minute, extending Notre Dame's dominance into the second half. Codd added his second goal in the 83rd minute to put the match beyond doubt. Ellie Hodsden sealed the victory in the 89th minute, assisted by Morgan Roy, as the top-ranked Irish showcased their championship pedigree.
Notre Dame's offensive efficiency proved decisive throughout the contest. The Irish generated nine corner kicks compared to UIC's two, controlling possession and dictating play across the midfield. UIC goalkeeper made 10 saves to keep the deficit from ballooning further, while Notre Dame's defense limited the Flames to just five shot attempts. The disparity in quality was evident from kickoff, with the Irish's technical superiority and movement creating constant problems for UIC's backline.
The Flames, entering the tournament with an 8-8-6 record, struggled to establish any meaningful rhythm against Notre Dame's organized defensive structure. UIC managed only one shot on goal throughout the 90 minutes, reflecting the difficulty of generating offensive opportunities against the nation's top-ranked team. The visitors made four substitutions at halftime in an attempt to spark their attack, but the adjustments failed to produce any scoring chances of consequence.
Notre Dame's performance demonstrated why the program enters the NCAA Tournament as a national championship contender. The Irish improved to 15-1-3 on the season and showed the attacking depth and defensive solidity required to compete for a title. Knapp's early goal set the tone, while Codd's two-goal performance highlighted the multiple scoring threats Notre Dame possesses. The team's ability to control possession and limit UIC's opportunities showcased the defensive discipline that has defined their season.
The match served as a statement victory for Notre Dame, which enters the tournament fresh off competing in the ACC Championship. The Irish drew #1 Stanford 2-2 in triple overtime on November 9 before defeating #3 Duke 2-1 to reach the NCAA Tournament. Saturday's dominant performance suggested Notre Dame has recovered from that grueling championship run and remains focused on pursuing a national title.
UIC's tournament run ended after the team competed through three consecutive overtime matches in the Horizon League Championship. The Flames drew #2 Murray State 1-1 and #4 Illinois State 0-0 in back-to-back triple-overtime contests before traveling to South Bend. The accumulated fatigue from that demanding stretch may have contributed to their inability to match Notre Dame's intensity and execution.
Notre Dame's comprehensive victory advances the program deeper into the NCAA Tournament while establishing the Irish as a formidable threat to capture the national championship. They now will face Ohio State.