While Marcus Freeman and Co. wait another couple of weeks to start their season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's soccer team did kick off its campaign. The No. 2-ranked team managed to start things off with a successful opening night, taking down defending MAC Champions Western Michigan at Alumni Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Irish scored a 2-1 win, meaning that Notre Dame has now improved to a 29-5-3 record in season openers in the program's history. In the process, the Blue and Gold showed off its burgeoning star power as reigning ACC Freshman of the Year and All-American Izzy Engle picked up right where she left off, recording her seventh career multi-goal game as she opened the season with a brace to deliver the Irish the victory.