Notre Dame is recent off a formidable run to the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship, taking full benefit of the primary yr of the 12-team format whereas marching to Atlanta because the No. 7 seed. Because the calendar turns to the offseason, all the focus now could be centered completely on whether or not the Preventing Irish will run it again in 2025.
With how coach Marcus Freeman has recruited and developed expertise — Notre Dame has improved its win whole in every of their three years beneath his steerage — the Irish actually undertaking as one of many high groups in faculty soccer subsequent season. CBS Sports activities’ Dennis Dodd ranked Notre Dame No. 6 in his way-too-early High 25.
Now we all know the trail that Notre Dame must take again to the postseason because the Preventing Irish not too long ago their whole 2025 slate of video games this previous week. Provided that Notre Dame is an impartial, the common season is its solely likelihood to construct a résumé for the choice committee to think about.
Notre Dame 2025 soccer schedule:
Notre Dame stacked its 2025 schedule with marquee video games towards energy convention opponents and a few latest contenders from the Group of 5 degree. The Preventing Irish need to face off towards two SEC groups, two Large Ten groups and 6 ACC groups in 2025.
Their schedule appears particularly front-loaded. They open the yr on the highway towards a possible preseason top-10 group in Miami. That contest will give an early indication of both group’s standing, although, as Notre Dame demonstrated with its loss to Northern Illinois in 2024 that early season outcomes aren’t the be all, finish all for a season.
Notre Dame could have loads of possibilities to stack sturdy wins after that Miami sport, and briefly order. The Irish host a doable top-15 group in Texas A&M on Sept. 15 and journey to Arkansas on Sept. 27. A house tilt towards historic rival Purdue is sandwiched between these two SEC clashes.
So, within the first month of the season, Notre Dame has to play two doubtless ranked opponents and three faculties from both the SEC or the Large Ten. That is a chief alternative to stack significant wins and instantly bury any questions on energy of schedule — a hot-button subject anytime the School Soccer Playoff is mentioned.
Notre Dame’s showdown towards Boise State the primary weekend of October is especially fascinating. The Broncos received 12 video games in 2024, captured the Mountain West championship and earned a first-round bye within the School Soccer Playoff. They retained loads of expertise through the winter switch window, although they misplaced All-American operating again Ashton Jeanty to the NFL Draft and are shaping as much as be a Group of 5 entrance runner as soon as extra.
What’s subsequent for Notre Dame after CFP Nationwide Championship loss? Irish must be higher by means of the air
Richard Johnson
Staying within the Group of 5 ranks, Notre Dame additionally hosts a Navy group that received 10 video games, capped by a victory towards Oklahoma within the Armed Forces Bowl, in 2024. The Midshipmen return star quarterback Blake Horvath, who completed the 2024 marketing campaign with 30 whole touchdowns.
Video games towards USC and Syracuse additionally stand out as vital challenges later within the yr. The Orange, particularly, blew out all expectations by posting a 10-3 document of their first yr beneath coach Fran Brown. Given Brown’s repute as a recruiter, the expectation is that Syracuse will proceed to enhance yearly.
General, in 2025, Notre Dame has to play 4 groups that received not less than 10 video games final season and 9 that certified for the postseason in some capability, be it the School Soccer Playoff or a bowl sport. All 5 of its away video games come towards Energy 4 opponents.
It isn’t going to be a straightforward highway again for the Irish. That first month presents an amazing hurdle, and Notre Dame’s document in that four-game stretch will doubtless outline what sort of group the Preventing Irish are in 2025.
However scheduling such a difficult slate does include some upside. Freeman’s squad ought to have loads of leeway because it navigates the trail — a lot in order that, on the naked minimal, a 10-win Notre Dame group looks like a digital lock to make the 12-team School Soccer Playoff subject.
