Constance Atton I Lariat Photographer
By Jeffrey Swindoll
Sports Writer
Baylor soccer’s three-game win streak came to a halt after falling to No. 19 Notre Dame in a nip and tuck 1-0 road battle for the Bears.
Notre Dame’s lone goal was headed in just one minute before half-time on a corner kick. Notre Dame attempted seven corner kicks in the match, catering to one of the Fighting Irish’s most obvious assets due to the team’s height — set pieces.
Aerial dominance is a strength that Baylor co-head coach Marci Jobson said she was expecting to see Friday night and it turned out to be the only goal the Bears conceded in the match. It was the first goal this season that the Bears conceded on a set piece, aside from a penalty kick against BYU.
Both teams faced five shots on goal each, which forced consistent and timely saves from each of the goalkeepers. It was the Fighting Irish’s third consecutive shutout this season, as they saved three shots in a second half surge from the Bears. Notre Dame finished with an 8-to-10 edge in overall shots against Baylor.
Notre Dame had a great chance to put the Bears away with a penalty kick mid-way through the second half which would have made it 2-0. However, after Notre Dame’s penalty slapped against the crossbred and plopped in front of the goal mouth, chaos ensued six yards in from the net, but Baylor was able to clear the ball out.
All of Baylor’s losses this season have been one-goal differential losses. The Bears anticipated Friday night to be a significant challenge against Notre Dame, but went into the game with every bit of belief that they could pull off another upset over a top-25 ranked team for the second time this season.
The Bears’ effort fell just short though, and look to bounce back for their second and final game this weekend against Illinois State.
