SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame (6-2-2) secured a 3-2 victory over Hope College (4-5-1) in a tightly contested match on Tuesday evening at Alumni Stadium. The Fighting Irish extended their home winning streak while dealing Hope their first loss in three matches.
The match saw multiple momentum shifts, with Notre Dame's attack led by Luke Burton and Jack Flanagan creating consistent pressure throughout. Hope's defensive unit, anchored by Benjamin Smitley, held firm early but couldn't prevent the Irish from finding the breakthrough.
The first half featured intense midfield battles, with Notre Dame's Sean McDowd and Ren Sylvester controlling the tempo. Hope's Grant Hassenrik registered the first dangerous attempt in the 5th minute, forcing a save. The Irish responded through Alex Rosin's shot in the 9th minute, setting the tone for an end-to-end opening period. Ian Shaul received a yellow card in the 11th minute for Notre Dame, reflecting the match's competitive nature.
The second half saw increased offensive pressure from both sides. Notre Dame's Wyatt Borso tested Hope's defense in the 47th minute with a shot that struck the crossbar. Hope's tactical adjustment brought Jackson Mindling into a more advanced role, leading to several dangerous counterattacks. The match's intensity peaked when Evan Tsandes received a yellow card in the 79th minute for an aggressive challenge, followed by Benjamin Smitley's caution in the 85th minute.
Notre Dame dominated the statistical categories, outshooting Hope 25-9, with 9 shots on target compared to Hope's 3. The Irish also held a significant advantage in corner kicks (9-2), though Hope's defensive organization limited the effectiveness of these set pieces. The match saw four yellow cards distributed - three to Hope and one to Notre Dame.
Several players stood out individually. Notre Dame's Luke Burton orchestrated the attack with multiple threatening shots, while Jack Flanagan's presence on the wing created consistent problems for Hope's defense. Hope's goalkeeper made six crucial saves to keep his team competitive, while Notre Dame's keeper was called upon for one save in a relatively quiet evening defensively.
Tactically, Notre Dame's high-pressing approach forced Hope to play long balls, though the visitors showed impressive resilience in transitioning from defense to attack. The Irish's superiority in possession was evident through their patient build-up play, while Hope's compact defensive structure and quick counterattacks kept them in the contest.
The result maintains Notre Dame's strong home form and demonstrates their ability to close out tight matches. For Hope, despite the loss, their competitive showing against a strong Notre Dame side suggests they can compete at a high level. The match highlighted both teams' tactical discipline and competitive spirit.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will face Virginia Tech in a crucial conference matchup on October 3rd at 8:30 PM, while Hope returns to action on October 7th at 7:00 PM against rival Calvin. Both teams will look to build on the positive aspects of their performances in this entertaining contest.
The match served as an excellent showcase of collegiate soccer, with both teams demonstrating skill, tactical awareness, and competitive spirit. Notre Dame's superior shot creation and possession ultimately proved decisive, though Hope's resilient performance kept the outcome in doubt until the final whistle.