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Notre Dame Men's Soccer Team Faces New Challenges without Key Graduates

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Notre Dame men's soccer team is expected to have a new look this season, as they depart from their former big three players, Matthew Roou, Bryce Boneau, and Joshua Ramsey, who led the team to a national championship appearance in 2023. Roou, who scored 14 goals in 2024, was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and Boneau and Ramsey signed professional contracts with Huntsville City FC and Lexington SC, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Irish will turn to several players who featured sporadically throughout last year to take on larger roles, including sophomore Stevie Dunphy, who scored a goal in Notre Dame's 2-1 win over Clemson, and will be expected to fill in for Roou up front.
  • Sophomore Will Schroeder, who played in 16 games last fall, recorded one start, and is expected to take on a bigger role in the midfield, where he can fill any role and thrive.
  • Captains senior defender Mitch Ferguson and junior midfielder Wyatt Lewis have been called upon as the locker room leaders of the squad, along with junior forward Jack Flanagan, who led all returners with four goals in 2024, and senior winger KK Baffour, who dished out five assists.
  • Two graduate transfers, Diego Ochoa from Boston College and Martin Von Thun from Holy Cross College, arrive as reinforcements for the defensive unit, bringing seasoned veteran experience to the team.
  • Notre Dame has a potentially easier schedule this season, facing only four preseason top 25 teams, and are looking to improve upon their 7-5-5 record last season.

Statistics:

  • Matthew Roou scored 14 goals in 2024, which led the ACC, and was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year.
  • Roou is tied for 10th on the Notre Dame all-time scoring list with 34 career goals.
  • Stevie Dunphy scored his lone goal of the season in Notre Dame's 2-1 win over Clemson.
  • Will Schroeder played in 16 games last fall and recorded one start.
  • Jack Flanagan led all returners with four goals in 2024.
  • KK Baffour dished out five assists.

Sources:

  • "Notre Dame Men's Soccer Team Faces New Challenges without Key Graduates". Citing no specific source in the article to support the claims.

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