A goal by Courtney Barg in the 15th minute stood up the rest of the game, and No. 1 Notre Dame held on to beat Stanford 1-0 tonight to reach the championship of the Women’s College Cup. The Fighting Irish (26-0-0), who are in the final four of women's soccer for the third straight year, will play UCLA or North Carolina at 2 p.m. Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Those teams are playing in the second game.
The Irish advanced even thought Stanford (22-2-1) dominated possession in the second half and outshot Notre Dame, 20-12, overall. Notre Dame goalkeeper Kelsey Lysander made a sliding save on a shot by Kelley O’Hara midway through the first half, then stopped a header by Christen Press five minutes later.
On Notre Dame's goal, freshman Melissa Henderson sent a low cross into the right side of the box for Barg, who trapped it, then turned and fired a right-footed shot to the far side past Stanford goalkeeper Kira Maker.
Notre Dame posted its 18th shutout of the season and eighth in the last nine games
