The 2021 Notre Dame Academy girls soccer team captured national attention after being named one of the 50 greatest high school sports teams from Northern Kentucky, finishing the season ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps national poll.
The Pandas closed the year with a perfect 28‑0‑1 record, outscoring opponents 118‑4 and posting 25 shutouts, a state record for wins and clean sheets. Their defense was virtually impenetrable, conceding no more than one goal in any match.
Offensively, the squad was equally dominant. Marina Ruthsatz and Macie Feldman paced the attack with 18 goals each, while Eleanor Simkonis and Kennedy Clark added 16 and 14 goals respectively. Eighteen different players found the net, and the team’s top playmakers — Feldman with 21 assists, Ellie Greenwell with 15, Clark with 12, and Ruthsatz with 10 — orchestrated a relentless offense. The depth of the squad was further enriched by contributors such as Suli Kayed and Evan Dennison, who provided crucial minutes and support.
Between the lines, goalkeeper Abby Breeze posted a 0.10 goals‑against average and recorded 22 shutouts, while the back line anchored by Natalie Bain allowed only four goals all season. Bain’s leadership earned her state tournament MVP honors, and teammates Amber Branum and Clark were also named to the All‑Tournament team.
A Season That Redefined Kentucky Soccer
The championship game, played under lights for the first time at the Buenger Sports Complex, ended 1‑0 in Notre Dame’s favor as Bain headed home a corner kick from Greenwell to defeat South Oldham. That victory not only secured the school’s first state title under the new lights but also cemented the 2021 Pandas as a benchmark for future teams.
Beyond the trophy, the season served as a springboard for a roster full of future Division I athletes. Bain committed to Xavier, Clark chose Xavier, and Greenwell pledged to Ohio, illustrating the program’s ability to develop talent that reaches the next level. The team’s legacy continues to inspire players, coaches, and fans across the region.