September 2, 2012
IRISH STILL PERFECT
2-1 win over Clemson wins IU Classic

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Notre Dame remained perfect on the season with a 2-1 win over Clemson, and coupled with a scoreless tie between Indiana and San Diego State, captured the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic at a rainy Bill Armstrong Stadium.

Notre Dame (3-0-0) went up 1-0 in the 15th minute when a Kyle Richard shot hit the far post and Alex Priedecame into the six-yard box and put home the rebound. It was the first career goal for Priede, a junior forward.

Clemson (1-2-1) pulled back the equalizer in the 26th minute on an own goal. The Tigers threatened again in the 37th minute when a Jack Metcalf shot was kicked away by Irish goalkeeper Patrick Wall, who made his first career start Sunday. Wall, a junior, made two saves on the day.

The Fighting Irish regained the lead in the 43rd minute as senior forward Ryan Finley made a nice run with the ball into the 18-yard box and fed senior midfielder Dillon Powers, who sent the ball inside the far post from 15 yards away. It was the first goal of the season for Powers.

The Irish out shot the Tigers 12-2 in the opening stanza and 19-5 for the game. Notre Dame also held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks for the match.

“We opened the game really well,” said Fighting Irish head coach Bobby Clark. “We dominated and controlled the game in the first half. Unfortunately we gave up a goal and didn’t convert on some of our chances. We also started out the second half very well, but when you don’t get up by a couple goals, it makes it very difficult for the last 10 minutes of the match.”

Notre Dame continued its aggressive attack in the second half. In the 55th minute, Powers sent a corner kick into the box and Clemson goalkeeper Cody Mizell saved a header from Irish central defender Grant Van De Casteele. Two minutes later, Mizell stopped a blast from Fighting Irish forward Leon Brown that came from 17 yards away. Mizell had three saves in the game.

Finley put a shot on frame from 20 yards out in the 68th minute and Mizell made the save. At the other end of the pitch, Clemson’s Manolo Sanchez hit the crossbar with an attempt and the Irish defense survived a flurry of follow-up attempts.

Notre Dame is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2004 campaign. The Irish also have not been shutout in any of their first three matches of the season for the first time since 2004.

“It was a great weekend for us,” added Clark. “We were able to beat two teams from two good conferences. We’ve now beaten two ACC teams so we’re pleased with the way we’ve started the season. But we have to move on because we have a big weekend coming up.”

Notre Dame will hold the 11th annual Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament next weekend at Alumni Stadium. The Fighting Irish will face Oregon State on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET) and Akron onSunday (2:15 p.m.). Indiana is the fourth team in the field.