Temperatures took a dip Thursday, but that wasn't enough to cool off the Baylor boys' soccer team, as the Red Raiders blanked Notre Dame 3-0 at home.
The Red Raiders were aggressive early and scored quickly in each half. Six minutes into the contest, Jackson Campbell tapped in a goal off a corner kick. George Pettway followed with a left-footed strike two minutes later. Lucas Baker led Pettway with a pass from the midfield.
"I think that fast start really helped out," Baylor coach Curtis Blair said. "We came out with a lot of energy and intensity, and it set the tone for us."
The Red Raiders fired six shots toward the Irish goal in the first half. Notre Dame did not have many chances in the half, with only one shot on goal, but the defense settled in.
The Irish made some adjustments at halftime to limit their opponents' chances.
"I liked how we played in the second half. I think we defended better," said Notre Dame coach Jim Schermerhorn. "If we put 80 minutes together like that, we'll have more success."
Notre Dame limited Baylor to one shot on goal in the second half, but it found the back of the net. Pettway put in his second score on a ball from Austin Maize less than a minute in.
"We wanted to do a better job in the attacking third and get behind them," Blair said. "We did that on our first ball. We're trying to get better every day, and I think we definitely got better today."
Notre Dame got an early-second-half chance, as Esteban Lee rocketed a shot toward goal, but it was snuffed out by keeper Colin Brewer. The Irish had a couple of late chances as well but could not covert.
"At times we played OK, but mistakes cost us, Schermerhorn said. "Games are learning experiences. We're getting there."
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com