The men’s club soccer team kicked off its season with a 4-3 home victory against Purdue on Sunday.
To begin the game, the Irish displayed hesitance and played at a slow tempo. But early in the first half, the team overcame its nerves, which enabled it to control possession of the ball and threaten Purdue on the counterattack.
Senior Mike O’Brien netted a breakaway goal thanks to a pinpoint through ball from senior captain Brian Roddy around the 15-minute mark. Shortly after, O’Brien scored his second goal off of a corner kick to put the Irish up 2-0.
Notre Dame showed no signs of slowing down for the final portion of the first half. Junior Tommy Flaim headed in a third Irish goal after another corner kick played by senior Matt Hickey. The remainder of the game was played more evenly, with both teams exchanging chances back and forth.
While the Irish tallied a fourth goal off a penalty kick by O’Brien, completing his hat trick, they also allowed Purdue to score three late goals with many of the Notre Dame starters on the bench. However, the home team staved off the Boilermakers' run to earn the 4-3 win.
The Irish were also supposed to take on Michigan on Sunday in a double header, but the Wolverines were not able to make the trip to Notre Dame.
