SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Fighting Irish men’s soccer team picked up a big early win in non-conference play on Thursday evening at Alumni Stadium, defeating No. 14 Oregon State by a final of 1-0.
The Notre Dame goal came by way of a set piece, as Mitch Ferguson scored his first goal of the season off a header and KK Baffour picked up the assist.
Blake Kelly stole the show in goal in the second half, making six of his season-high seven saves in the final 45 minutes of play to record the clean sheet victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish were very organized in the opening stages of play, absorbing Oregon State possession without allowing any real threats from the visitors.
Notre Dame won a freekick just outside of the final third in the 39th minute. Baffour put the ball on a platter with his delivery and Ferguson rose highest to nod the ball off the far post and in to give the Irish the 1-0 advantage.
Oregon State controlled much of play in the second half but the Irish defense got stuck in and put out fires out all over the pitch as they held on to their one-goal lead.
The biggest sequence of the second half came in the 62nd minute. An Oregon State forward fired a shot on goal from around the penalty spot and Kelly made a kick save. The Beavers then recycled possession in the final third before Kelly was forced to make a diving, reflex save off a header. The threat was not over, as Oregon State had one final shot at the near post blocked away before the Irish were able to clear the danger and keep the shutout intact.
The Irish nearly doubled their lead in the 76th minute. Ian Shaul whipped a dangerous free kick to the back post and Ferguson once again headed his effort on frame, forcing the Beaver’s goalie to make a big save to keep the Irish lead at just one goal.
Notre Dame defended admirably in the final 10 minutes of play and in the final seconds Kelly was called upon one final time off an Oregon State free kick. The visitors brought their goalie up for the final chance of the match and he won his header at the back post but Kelly was there to make the save as time expired to secure the Fighting Irish victory.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“I’m proud of the group. I think we deserved more in our last game. To get a victory tonight, and one we really had to fight for, is great. Oregon State is a really quality team and they have some special players. I love how the group stuck together.
“Blake Kelly was outstanding in goal and kept that shutout for us. Overall I’m proud of the attitude and the way we stuck together. It’s always hard to win in the first week of classes and so really proud of the grit and determination of the group.”
On Blake Kelly’s performance…
“You don’t count on those types of saves a lot but he’s a special goalie. I think you’re going to see a lot of special plays from him over the next couple of years.”
On the set piece goal…
“I thought we were really dangerous. It’s great to see Mitch [Ferguson] score the goal, he has worked a lot in that area. It was great to see KK [Baffour] with the service. Mitch was getting held and still rose up and scored it.”
ND STAT OF THE MATCH
Thursday’s clean sheet win over Oregon State not only marked the first time the Beavers have been shutout this season but also the first time they have not scored multiple goals in a match.
ND NOTES
The Irish improved to 4-0-0 against Oregon State in program history with each victory coming in the form of a one-goal win.
Notre Dame is unbeaten through the first three games for the third straight season.
The Irish have started the season unbeaten through the first three matches of the season in five of Riley’s eight seasons at the helm.
The Irish have allowed just one goal over the first three matches of the season.
Kelly’s clean sheet is his second of the season, both coming in the last two matches.
Ferguson’s goal is his first of the season and fourth of his career.
Baffour recorded his first assist of the season and 16th of his career, the most by an active Irish player.
UP NEXT
The Irish are off next week before returning to Alumni Stadium for the rivalry matchup against Indiana at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 7. The match will air on ACCN and admission is free.
