Women Win NCAA Soccer Title

Posted on by John Vannie

The Notre Dame women’s soccer team defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Stanford by 1-0 in the championship game to win the 2010 NCAA national title on Sunday. Freshman forward Adriana Leon scored the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute with an assist by Melissa Henderson, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Irish goalie Nikki Weiss recorded five saves to preserve the victory for Coach Randy Waldrum. It was the third title for Notre Dame, who also won in 1995 and 2004, and the second under Waldrum.

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19 thoughts on “Women Win NCAA Soccer Title”

  1. Dusty Miller says:

    I have been to every ND College Cup appearance in Cary, NC since 2004. I have to say, this was the best Irish team I have seen yet. This was a total team effort – every player giving it all she had for every minute she was on the field. No one really stands out as a superstar, but as a unit, they proved in the course of this tournament, they are the best in the nation, hands down.

    Their second half against Ohio State was spectacular. The Buckeyes were on their heels the entire half – complete domination by the Irish. Then another stellar performance against undefeated Stanford. The Cardinal met their match today. Notre Dame was just tougher and faster – that’s it. It was a war, and the Irish were too tough for Stanford.

    These women were just flat out fun to watch. They certainly lived up to the name Fighting Irish, and they earned their National Title – they could not have had a tougher draw than they did. I cannot overstate how this team dominated their opponents in this tournament, including a 4-1 thumping of UNC on the road. Well done ladies, I was thoroughly impressed by your play – words cannot capture it.

    • Wayne says:

      A true team victory!!!!! Ladies you displayed confidents and poise in the Cup, which means you worked hard and put in the effort required of a TEAM and trusted your coaches. Congratulations and thank you for showing our daughters how to properly play the game.

    • Bob Shannon Class of 1958 says:

      Ladies, it was a great victory and a great tournament effort. You made this old grad proud of your team and hopefully your victory will give impetus to all other ND teams to make that push to excellence. Thank You.

  6. Tim '96 says:

    I enjoyed watching the highlight video clip with my young daughter. This was an inspirational game. You played as a team. You played like champions. Congratulations.

  7. Mike says:

    Watched the games from Springfield VA. Great semi and final. I was impressed by the offenses effort after the score against Stanford. To sit back defensively and let Stanford take shots could have been fatal. I do not recall seeing such great team play.

  9. Tom Coppolo says:

    Great game to watch from PA! Very proud of you all!!!
    But here’s a question: does anybody who watched that game have any doubt whatsoever who was the best player on the field? I doubt it!!! Melissa Henderson, you may not win the national award, but clearly you were the best player on the field yesterday, while your teammates shut down Christen Press like true champions!!!
    Boy, it was so much fun to watch that i watched the replay too!!!
    GO IRISH!!!

  10. george says:

    Watched the game from the Kansas City, Missouri area, which is the home to five members of this championship team. The phrase “Play Like a Champion” was most alive and well in North Carolina on Sunday morning. These highly talented female student-atheletes brought ND its only national atheletic championship this year. For that, all of us, including this ND grad who went to ND when only guys were allowed, are most thankful and grateful. And by the way, only two universities have won three NCAA women’s soccer championships; one of them is noted for its great basketball tradition and the other one is noted for its great football tradition. Now both of them are noted for their great women’s socceer tradition.

  11. Urq says:

    Congratulations to the ladies who brought home the hardware for their third national championship!! (and to NDNation for acknowledging it with the lead headline).

  12. ed dowd says:

    Congratulations Ladies!! Stanford had no answer for your speed and your great defense. Their keeper kept them in the game with some great saves, but their offense wasn’t able to respond. You did a great job keeping the ball moving towards their goal and keeping the momentum on your side.
    Once you are a National Champion, they can’t take that away from you, it is yours forever.!!

  13. coach Mike Walker says:

    WAY TO GO IRISH….SOCCER IS GROWING EVERY YEAR HERE IN INDIANA…AND YOUR TEAM….JUST PUSHED IT UP ANOTHER NOTCH….COACH MIKE WALKER DIRECTOR PYT EAST-WEST INDIANA ALL STAR SOCCER GAMES

  14. Cindy says:

    Fighting Irish WSoccer Team – great job! You clearly beat Stanford with your speed, fitness and hustle to the ball. You really worked as a team by passing the ball and sending great crossing shots across the goal. Congrats and thanks for keeping ND prominent in college sports.

  16. Mike says:

    Watched both the OSU and Stanford games with my 11 year old daughter who is a goalie on her travel team. Her excitement for the team reminded me of when I was at the Fiesta Boawl watching the football national championship game against W.Va. Proud to be an alum of a school which has such great student-athletes who show heart and commitment. It was an easy “life lesson” moment for my daughter. Thanks for leading by example ladies!

  17. Paul says:

    I’m from Ontario, Canada and I’m a proud Notre Dame fan but usually football and basketball. I have watched girls’ soccer played when I was down for a football game. Actually, I saw the OS and Stanford because I was in Florida for a holiday. I’m sure I disturbed poeple in nearby rooms with my excitement. The ladies were fantastic and if I’m correct, they’re a young team and they have got a new fan.