Final four finale
Falcons clipped in Regional Semifinal
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MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Notre Dame's season ended Friday with a loss to Mt. Vernon Nazarene in the Semifinals of the NAIA Regional Tournament. The No. 25 Lady Cougars pounced on the Falcons for four goals in a 4-1 victory, propelling them into the Regional Finals.

The loss closes out their the best season in the Falcons' 13-year history. NDC finishes the season with a program-best 13 wins. The loss to Mount Vernon (13-4-1) was the Falcons' second of the season (MVNU beat NDC, 3-0, on Oct. 3), and their first in seven matches.

Notre Dame (13-4-2) stayed with MVNU through the first 20 minutes of Friday's match. At that point, the high-powered Cougar offense took control, scoring three goals in a span of nine minutes.

"We didn't play poorly but we made some critical mistakes," said Head Coach Mike Shiels. "Mount Vernon is a very good team, and they capitalized on each one." 

Mt. Vernon got on the board first at 22:17, when Page Miller ripped a shot off the crossbar and into the net. Two and a half minutes later, Jessica Estep scored the first of two goals she would have on the day. Estep connected on a breakaway at 24:56. The Cougars' Kristy Brandolini gave MVNU a 3-0 lead at 31:12, a lead they would take into halftime.

A solid Cougar defense blanketed the Notre Dame attack, shutting out the Falcons until the 83-minute mark, when Jessica Mazzorato (So/London, ONT) turned an MVNU defensive miscue into a score.

For the match, NDC outshot MVNU, 17-14. The Lady Cougars, however, put nine shots on goal to the Falcons' seven. Cougar goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen stopped six of seven attempts.

Despite the loss, Shiels noted the accomplishments of the 2007 edition of NDC Women's Soccer: "I am delighted with the season overall.  We had a record setting year in terms of results, and that is a direct reflection of the commitment from the players.  By no means are we satified but this was definitely a (big) step for us in terms of the level at which we would like to play." 

Notes from the Nest...

Nice defense: Despite yielding a season-high four goals Friday, the NDC defense gave up just 14 goals for the season. Their total goals allowed and goals-against average (0.70) established new program records. The Falcons shut out their opponents in 11 of their 13 victories.

Cat allergy: With Friday's loss, the Falcons are now 0-5 all-time against the Cougars. In their five losses, NDC has been outscored, 21-2.