Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2025 79 MEN'S SOCCER Season Opener: at Michigan Aug. 21 in Ann Ar- bor, Mich. ACC Predicted Finish: A top-three contender in this ultra-competitive league. NCAA Best-Case Scenario: A second trip to the College Cup Final Four in the last three seasons. Coach's Expectations: Notre Dame head coach Chad Riley tries not to lament much on the misfor- tunes of last season when the Irish finished only 7-5-5 and failed to make the NCAA Tournament. A different ball bounce here, a timely goal there, and fortunes could've been much different. "I think when you kind of fail in some ways, the response is always fun to see," Riley said. "And our group has been very focused and committed to improving." Riley explained that coaching his team to finish better in key scoring opportunities compared to last year is priority No. 1. "Having the confidence, and the experience, and just the reps of doing it in games is what unlocks you to just being able to take advantage of those game-winning moments," Riley said of playing in five tie games last season. Top Player: Junior midfielder Nolan Spicer played in all 17 games last season and finished third on the team with 3 goals, and was fourth on the Irish with 8 points. Athlete To Watch: Senior forward Wyatt Borso has battled injuries the last two seasons but is back and fully healthy and ready for an increased role. Don't Miss: An in-state rivalry game between Notre Dame and Indiana Sept. 7 at Alumni Stadium in South Bend will be a must-see between two of the best teams in the country. WOMEN'S SOCCER Season Opener: Western Michi- gan Aug. 14 at Alumni Stadium in South Bend ACC Predicted Finish: Win the conference title in a talented league that provided all four of the College Cup national semifinalists last season. NCAA Best-Case Scenario: At least a Final Four appearance, and maybe a national championship. Coach's Expectations: This time last year, Irish head coach Nate Norman said that he wasn't exactly sure what to expect from his team after heavy roster turnover. What Norman ended up with was a tal- ented group of first-year players who helped Notre Dame to a 14- 4-4 overall record, a No. 6 ranking in the final in the United Soccer Coaches poll, and one of the best offenses in the country. A great sign for this season is that 44 of Notre Dame's 55 goals from last season were scored by freshmen, on a team that finished ranked eighth nationally in scoring at 2.5 goals per game. As for this year? "It will be a very balanced team," Norman said. "Even if our team isn't necessarily playing well collectively, we have a lot of dynamic players who can win games for us, even if it's not our best day." Top Player: Sophomore midfielder Izzy Engle returns after leading the Irish last season and fin- ishing tied for second in the country with 19 goals scored. Athlete To Watch: With so many gifted goal scorers around her, sophomore midfielder Grace Restovich took on a quarterbacking role last sea- son and easily led the team with 11 assists, while adding 5 goals. Don't Miss: Take your pick. The Irish host reign- ing national champion North Carolina Sept. 24 at Alumni Stadium on campus, and then play at 2024 national runner-up Wake Forest Oct. 26 in Winston-Salem, N.C. VOLLEYBALL Season Opener: Santa Clara Aug. 29 at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. ACC Predicted Finish: Somewhere in the eighth through 12th range of this talented 18-team league. NCAA Best-Case Scenario: Just making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2020 would provide a needed momentum boost for the pro- gram. Coach's Expectations: In no way trying to dimin- ish the efforts of the first three teams she led at Notre Dame from 2022-24, Irish volleyball head coach Salima Rockwell believes she sees some- thing different and special with this 2025 group. "This team is ready to turn the page and shift Notre Dame volleyball from a program that's been building to a program that's ready to win," she said. "And that's exciting." Rockwell witnessed that commitment first-hand when the team spent late May and early June on a foreign tour that took the group to Croatia, Slove- nia, Italy and Greece, for a bonding and competi- tive experience. "Everything we're striving for as a program, and the next phase in Notre Dame volleyball, was just cemented on the foreign tour," Rockwell shared. Top Player: Ready to become a more vocal vet- eran leader, senior outside hitter Lucy Trump fin- ished last season third on the team with 135 kills while adding 95 digs. Athlete To Watch: After battling injuries most of last season as a freshman, 6-foot-4 sophomore outside hitter Morgan Gaerte is healthy and ready to become an impact player. Don't Miss: The Irish will get a chance to beat the best in a home-and-home two-match series against 2024 national runner-up Louisville Oct. 29 at home, and then Nov. 1 on the road. ✦ Senior outside hitter Lucy Trump finished last season third on the volleyball team with 135 kills while adding 95 digs. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS Sophomore midfielder Izzy Engle returns after leading the Irish women's soccer team last season. She finished tied for second in the country with 19 goals scored as true freshman. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS