PALO ALTO, Calif. — In a heartbreaking showdown at Cagan Stadium on Wednesday evening, the Notre Dame men’s soccer team faced a stunning defeat against Stanford, falling short with a final score of 3-2 as the Cardinal netted a last-second goal with merely two ticks left on the clock.
The Irish found the back of the net courtesy of Matthew Roou and Mitch Ferguson, both of whom capitalized on set-piece opportunities.
With this loss, Notre Dame’s season record now stands at 7-5-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After an uneventful opening 20 minutes that saw both teams size each other up, the match ignited in the 22nd minute when the Irish were awarded a penalty due to a handball by a Stanford defender in the box. Roou confidently approached the spot and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, delicately rolling the ball into the bottom corner to secure a 1-0 advantage for Notre Dame.
However, the resilient hosts fought back and equalized in the 34th minute when Jackson Kill executed a powerful header, bringing the score to 1-1.
In a critical moment before halftime, Notre Dame goalkeeper Travasos made an impressive diving save to preserve the 1-1 scoreline, thwarting Stanford’s attack as the teams entered the break.
The Irish absorbed significant pressure at the beginning of the second half but demonstrated resilience in keeping the Cardinal’s advances at bay.
In the tense final stages of regulation play, Stanford was awarded a penalty kick after a handball in the box, which they converted successfully in the 85th minute to shift the score to 2-1 in their favor.
<pYet, Notre Dame refused to succumb to defeat and surged forward in search of an equalizer, which they miraculously found with just 12 seconds remaining. Following a yellow card issued to the Stanford goalkeeper for time-wasting, the Irish earned an indirect free kick just inside the penalty area. Roou played a quick touch to Ferguson, whose powerful shot struck true, leveling the match at 2-2.
Sadly for the Irish, the drama was far from over. In a swift counter, Stanford struck back immediately, scoring a goal with only two seconds remaining to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory and secure their place in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“Soccer is truly a crazy game. I am proud of the team tonight. Although I’m disappointed not to be advancing, I am immensely proud of the team’s effort and fight. Stanford is a formidable opponent, and we anticipated a fierce battle. I am proud of this team and believe we deserve strong consideration for the NCAA Tournament. I sincerely hope to coach these guys for at least a few more games.”
UP NEXT
The NCAA Selection Show is set for Monday, Nov. 18, and the Irish will eagerly await news about their potential selection for the tournament.
FOLLOW THE IRISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Notre Dame men’s soccer program, follow the Irish on Twitter (@NDMenSoccer), Instagram (@ndmensoccer), Facebook (/NDMenSoccer), and TikTok (@ndmensoccer).
**Interview with Coach John Smith of the Notre Dame Men’s Soccer Team Following the Loss to Stanford**
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us, Coach Smith. That was quite a heart-wrenching match last night against Stanford. Can you give us your thoughts on how the game unfolded?
**Coach Smith:** Absolutely. It was a tough match, no doubt. We started strong with that early penalty goal from Matthew Roou, and I felt we controlled the tempo for a good part of the first half. But credit to Stanford—when they equalized, it really gave them new life, and we knew the second half would be a battle.
**Interviewer:** Yes, it seemed like a back-and-forth game. How did you feel about your team’s resilience, especially after conceding the penalty later in the match?
**Coach Smith:** I was proud of the way the team fought back. Falling behind late in the game can be disheartening, but the players showed great character by pushing until the very end. The way we equalized in the final seconds with that indirect free kick was a testament to their determination.
**Interviewer:** It must have felt like a huge momentum shift after the late equalizer. Can you walk us through your strategy in those final moments?
**Coach Smith:** We knew we had to take risks. Once we got that free kick, everyone was ready to attack. We placed our best headers in the box and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, with just two seconds left, Stanford managed to get a shot off, and it turned the celebration into heartbreak almost instantly.
**Interviewer:** That last-second goal must have been especially tough to swallow. How do you plan to address this setback going forward?
**Coach Smith:** It’s all about learning and growing from experiences like this. We need to tighten up our defensive organization, especially in those critical moments. Tomorrow, we’ll review the match footage and focus on improving before our next game.
**Interviewer:** Your team’s record now stands at 7-5-5. What do you see as the priority moving into the final stretch of the season?
**Coach Smith:** Consistency is key. We need to find ways to finish matches strong and get those crucial points. We’re still in a good position to contend for a higher placement, and I believe in this team’s ability to bounce back.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Coach Smith. Best of luck as you continue forward!
**Coach Smith:** Thank you! We appreciate the support, and we will keep pushing through.
