Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Overall Rank: #10
Conference Rank: #5 Atlantic Coast Conference
Notre Dame Team Page
Notre Dame’s men’s soccer team could not have written a better script… at least when it came to exiting the Big East Conference. The Fighting Irish compiled a strong conference record and endured a tough Big East tournament, which included a double-overtime win over Georgetown in a thrilling championship game. Notre Dame now moves to what looks to be the toughest conference in the nation, so the question is whether the team will go from being the big fish to a smaller fish in a big pond.
2012 Record: 17-4-1, 5-2-1
2012 Postseason: NCAA tournament (lost in third round, 2-1, to Indiana in double overtime)
Coach: Bobby Clark
Strengths:
Although the Fighting Irish lost one of the team’s most prolific scorers in recent history (more on that a bit later), they do return three of the top five scorers from last year’s team. Forwards Alex Priede and Harrison Shipp join midfielder Patrick Hodan to form a decent offense. Even with the loss of some of the scoring, opponents better watch Notre Dame when it comes to the second half. The Irish outscored opponents 36-6 during that half, and that’s part of how the team established itself as a national power. Its goals (52) and shot attempts (412) were among the top numbers in the nation, as was the goals scored per game (2.36). Goalkeeper Patrick Wall, who saw duty in half the games last year, is back for another go-round.
Weaknesses:
What can you say about Ryan Finley except “holy mackerel?” The senior racked up 46 points, mostly off a team-leading 21 goals, and his absence will hurt at first as the team attempts to find its way. Dillon Powers, who scored 19 points and led the team with nine assists a year ago, is also gone, as is goalkeeper Will Walsh. Those three will leave a leadership void that may be hard to fill at first, but a lineup that includes 13 sophomores and freshmen should provide players up to the challenge.
Final Projection:
Notre Dame’s move to the ACC won’t provide benefits at first. Oh sure, the Irish will still finish among the top teams in the nation, but any thoughts of winning the ACC can be tossed aside for now thanks to the loss of players like Finley, Powers and Walsh. Still, Notre Dame will play a tough 2013 schedule, including games against Maryland, North Carolina and UCLA, so there is no question how battle-tested this team will be when it comes to the conference tournament and the NCAA.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Harrison Shipp, Senior, F, 6; Patrick Hodan, Sophomore, MF, 6
Assists: Harrison Shipp, Senior, F, 6
Shots: Harrison Shipp, Senior, F, 55
Saves: Patrick Wall, Senior, GK, 32
Madness 2014 MLS Draft Rankings:
#34 Harrison Shipp
Madness 2013 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#28 Matthew Habrowski
#31 Brandon Aubrey
#112 Oliver Harris
See All Men's Soccer Top 44 Team Previews
