Indiana vs. Notre Dame Rivalry and Game Notes

Both No. 14 Indiana (1-0-0) and No. 4 Notre Dame (0-0-1) saw five regular starters depart from their 2014 squads, though return seven and six regular starters, respectively. The latter enjoyed the more successful 2014 campaign, finishing the year 12-5-4 after losing to eventual champion Virginia in the third round of the NCAA Tournament as the overall top seed.

Led by Bobby Clark in his 15^th year as head coach and 2014 Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Patrick Hodan, Notre Dame will be more than motivated to walk off Jerry Yeagley Field victorious after dropping last season’s match 1-0 on the same pitch, and again falling to the Hoosiers 2-1 in double overtime this past April in Fort Wayne.

The powerhouse rivals have met every year since 2001, battling 13 contests in the regular season and three in the NCAA Tournament. In those 16 matches, Indiana owns the slight advantage in wins at eight to Notre Dame’s seven, as well as in the 23-18 scoring aggregate. Historically, the Hoosiers are 28-8-2 including 14-5-1 at home against the blue and gold.

Though both sides avoided the loss column Friday night, it wasn’t a particularly praiseworthy start to the season for either program. Notre Dame escaped No. 13 Maryland unscathed after 110 minutes despite being outshot 22-10 and earning four less corner kicks. A goal from Indiana’s Phil Fives was enough to defeat St. John’s, but the Hoosiers were unable to put away a significantly weaker side given more than enough quality chances to do so.

The game will be broadcasted live on the Big Ten Network.