On paper, the Fighting Irish have all the advantages.

Facing the challenge of fifth-ranked Notre Dame, the Cyclones head into their first game of the season as the underdog, but don’t tell them being the underdog doesn’t have advantages.

“I think it only gives us a bigger advantage because, if they underestimate us and we come out and play really hard, they won’t be as prepared for it,” said freshman goalkeeper Ann Gleason. “It’s even more motivation for us because we get super pumped up and we know what we can do.”

The Cyclones head to South Bend, Ind., on Saturday to face perennial powerhouse Notre Dame. The Cyclones, however, won’t be relying on Notre Dame underestimating them: the Fighting Irish, former national champions, are too good to do that.

“We’re not going to hold back and try to defend them, we’re going to go at them and we’re going to play,” said coach Rebecca Hornbacher. “I think we have a lot of weapons that we’re going to make them have to deal with as well.”

Many college athletic programs try to avoid the challenge that the Irish present, and for many teams, a schedule is easy at the start, and it gradually becomes more difficult as the year progresses. The Cyclones won’t have the luxury of a soft schedule, but they aren’t complaining about it.

“To become the best you have to play the best,” said junior Erin Witte. “It’s good to start out with a great team because then you’re already set at a high standard or level and any team that comes after that seems just as easy.”

The lack of a soft opener won’t ease the transition for Gleason onto the college scene. Although she admitted to having some nerves, Gleason doesn’t seem fazed by Notre Dame or the college level.

“We get to go play such a good team and it’s kind of a chance for me to prove what I can do,” Gleason said. “I’ve actually been there [Alumni Field] before, so I actually know what the stadium looks like and it’s just another team across the field, just like any other.”

After losing standout goalkeeper Joanna Haig because of an offseason transfer, it looks as if the Cyclones may have a glaring weakness. The team, however, doesn’t seem worried.

“We’re very confident in [Gleason],” Witte said. “We see what she can do in practice, and we know she is going to show up to this game just like she does at practice. We’re going to be behind her all the way.”

So what do these two teams have in common? They both lost to Portland, the eventual champion, in last year’s NCAA tournament.

What if the unranked, unaccomplished, underdog comes out of South Bend with an improbable win?

“Oh my gosh, that would be amazing,” Witte said. “I’m going into it with every thought that we are going to win that game. Without that kind of thought in your head, I mean, what’s the point of going out there and playing?”