Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is exclusive to subscribers.

Undefeated Notre Dame soccer thriving in Robertson’s return home

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Caleb Salenda (11) scores one of his two goals against soccer rival Boyd Buchanan Friday at Notre Dame.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Caleb Salenda (11) scores one of his two goals against soccer rival Boyd Buchanan Friday at Notre Dame. Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Caleb Salenda (11) scores one of his two goals against soccer rival Boyd Buchanan Friday at Notre Dame.

By Patrick MacCoon 5 min read

Tyler Robertson’s return home to his alma mater, leading the Notre Dame boys’ soccer program, has been a smashing success this spring.

A year after helping lead Chattanooga Christian School to a 15-0 mark in the regular season, Robertson has continued that undefeated mark through a 13-0 start for the Fighting Irish, who are one of 15 unbeaten teams left in the state.

A large student body turnout spilled onto Jim Eberle Field Friday after Notre Dame’s most recent impressive victory as senior Caleb Salenda, who is headed to East Tennessee State University next year, led a 5-2 win over rival Boyd Buchanan with a pair of goals and assists.

“I am loving every second of being back at Notre Dame,” said Robertson, whose Division II-A program has outscored opponents 69-9 this season. “The boys have all bought in. They thought I was crazy when I walked in day one and was like, ‘Hey, we can really win a state championship.’ They have embraced the hard work.

Undefeated Notre Dame soccer thriving in Robertson’s return home

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Boyd Buchanan's Jim Wood (6) head butts the ball at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Boyd Buchanan’s Jim Wood (6) head butts the ball at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame has a team huddle before their home soccer match against Boyd Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame has a team huddle before their home soccer match against Boyd Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Luke Rosellini (7) chases after the ball alongside Boyd Buchanan's Jim Wood (6) at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Luke Rosellini (7) chases after the ball alongside Boyd Buchanan’s Jim Wood (6) at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Caleb Salenda (11) scores one of his two goals against soccer rival Boyd Buchanan Friday at Notre Dame.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Caleb Salenda (11) scores one of his two goals against soccer rival Boyd Buchanan Friday at Notre Dame.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Caleb Salenda (11) hits the ball with his face during a home match against Boyd Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Caleb Salenda (11) hits the ball with his face during a home match against Boyd Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Dax Brown (6) kicks the ball in a home match against Boyd Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Dax Brown (6) kicks the ball in a home match against Boyd Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Caleb Salenda (11) celebrates a goal with his teammate Thomas Wagnon (18) at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Caleb Salenda (11) celebrates a goal with his teammate Thomas Wagnon (18) at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Josh Bonk (17) after a scramble for the ball to his right at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Josh Bonk (17) after a scramble for the ball to his right at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame's Dax Brown (6) hits the ball with his shoulder ahead of Boyd Buchanan's Justus Wood (3) at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Notre Dame’s Dax Brown (6) hits the ball with his shoulder ahead of Boyd Buchanan’s Justus Wood (3) at Notre Dame High School on Friday, April 10, 2026.

“Hard work is not fun, but when you get rewarded for it by scoring goals, winning big games, having an undefeated record, and seeing the crowd turnouts like tonight, it is amazing. They are starting to see their hard work really pays off. I am proud of them. I love these guys, and I am happy to be home.”