Notre Dame men's soccer: Irish reach College Cup

Sophomores Evan Panken and Patrick Hodan scored goals and Patrick Wall made four saves to propel third-ranked Notre Dame into its first men’s College Cup via a 2-1 win over No. 11 Michigan State Saturday in national quarterfinal action in South Bend.

The Irish (15-1-6) will face No. 7 New Mexico in the national semifinals on Friday at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

Maryland and Virginia will square off in the other semifinal.

The Spartans (14-6-3) drew within a goal at the 58:46 mark on a goal from Jay Chapman and nearly tied the game in the 73rd on a shot by Andrew Herr.

Wall punched the 20-yard attempt over the crossbar and the Irish defense snuffed out the ensuing corner kick.

FIRST HALF

ND — Evan Panken (Vince Cicciarelli) 31st.

SECOND HALF

ND — Patrick Hodan 48th.

MSU — Jay Chapman (Tim Kreutz) 59th.

Shots: Michigan State 9, Notre Dame 16; Saves (goalkeeper): Michigan State 1 (Zach Bennett), Notre Dame 4 (Patrick Wall); Corners: Michigan State 3, Notre Dame 7; Fouls: Michigan State 14, Notre Dame 14.

Records: Michigan State 14-6-3, Notre Dame 15-1-6.