Notre Dame Women Knock Off No. 24 Clemson, 2-1

Notre Dame opened ACC play with a ranked victory Friday night, knocking off No. 24 Clemson, 2-to-1, at Alumni Stadium.

And the Fighting Irish didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard.

Just 34 seconds into the match, Ellie Hodsden found freshman Kate Kemmerley, who put her shot into the right corner of the net to give Notre Dame an immediate 1-nothing advantage.

It was Kemmerley’s fourth goal of the season, tying her for the team lead.

Notre Dame nearly doubled the advantage in the 28th minute.

Riley DeMartino worked the ball up the sideline before finding Kemmerley in the middle. Kemmerley sent it ahead to Izzy Engle, who put the ball into the back of the net, but the goal was wiped away for offside.

The Irish dominated the opening 45 minutes, outshooting Clemson 9-to-1, and carried their 1-nothing advantage into halftime.

But Clemson responded after the break.

The Tigers turned up the pressure and eventually found the equalizer off a corner kick in the 65th minute, leveling the match at one.

Clemson outshot Notre Dame 11-to-5 during the second half, but the Irish found the decisive opportunity.

In the 77th minute, Hodsden drew a foul inside the Clemson penalty area, sending Gabi Poretto to the spot.

Poretto converted the penalty kick to put Notre Dame back in front, 2-to-1.

It was Poretto’s second successful penalty kick of the season, making her a perfect two-for-two from the spot.

Clemson had one final opportunity in the 89th minute, but Notre Dame goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica made the save to preserve the victory.

Kasica finished with four saves on the night.

The Fighting Irish remain unbeaten at 3-0-and-5 overall and begin Atlantic Coast Conference play at 1-and-0.

Clemson falls to 4-2-and-2 overall and 0-and-1 in the ACC.

Notre Dame will remain at home for its next match, hosting Boston College Friday, September 18.