ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Notre Dame men’s soccer team opened up the 2025 campaign with a 1-1 draw at Michigan on Thursday evening at U-M Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Grad transfer Diego Ochoa made an instant impact in his first game with the Fighting Irish, opening his account with a goal in his debut.
Sophomore goalkeeper Blake Kelly finished the contest with three saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish controlled much of the early run of play, nearly scoring in the eighth minute off a strike from KK Baffour just outside the area, which forced the Michigan keeper to make a save that resulted in an Irish throw in.
The Irish found the breakthrough goal in the 27th minute courtesy of Ochoa. A Michigan foul gave the Irish a free kick just outside of the final third and Ian Shaul’s service was knocked down in the area right to the feet of Ochoa, who made no mistake with the finish to give Notre Dame a 1-0 lead.
The lead was short lived for the Irish, as Michigan responded in the 38th minute to level the match at 1-1.
The 1-1 scoreline held over the next seven minutes of play, sending the teams into the halftime intermission deadlocked.
The Irish were unable to create a goal in the final 45 minutes of action but defended admirably to come away with a result on the road. Senior Mitch Ferguson produced a big goal line clearance in the 58th minute to help Notre Dame leave with a draw.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“It was a good first contest. I thought we were the better team in the first half and Michigan was better in the second. Overall I am pleased with the team’s commitment and now the trick is to grow as much as we can from one game to the next.”
ND STAT OF THE MATCH
Ochoa became the first player to score in their Fighting Irish debut in the season opener since Daniel Russo scored the game-winning goal during the 2020 opener against Kentucky.
ND NOTES
- Ochoa now has three career goals at the collegiate level.
- Shaul’s assist was the fourth of his career.
- Junior Nate Zimmermann logged the first start of his career.
- Ochoa started in his Notre Dame debut at the center back position.
- After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Wyatt Borso earned a start up top as a striker in the season opener.
- Alex Rosin, Brady Hilden, Ren Sylvester and Martin Von Thun also made their Notre Dame debuts on Thursday night.
UP NEXT
The Irish return to South Bend for their home opener, as they welcome IU…