Still hangin' zeroes
NDC stays undefeated at Cougar Classic

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Notre Dame defeated Nyack (NY), 2-0, Saturday in day-two of the WG Grinders Cougar Classic to remain unbeaten in the 2007 season. The Falcons put just three shots on net against the Warriors, but that was enough for two tallies and for the Blue & Gold's fifth shutout victory of the season.

The win for Notre Dame (6-0-2) comes on the heels of a scoreless draw against No. 18 Berry (GA) - the Falcons' day-one opponent in Mount Vernon. That ranked-opponent, 110-minute scoreless tie (0-0 in double overtime) was one of the finest moments in the history of NDC Women's Soccer, and the Falcons were able to return on day-two of the four-team invitational without a letdown.

Kelly Brown (Sr/Parma, OH) got Notre Dame on the board early in the first half against Nyack (2-4) with a netfinder at 4:57. Caley Prendergast (So/London, ONT) assisted on what was Brown's second goal of the season and what would turn out to be the game-winner.

Jill Summers (Fr/Akron, OH) scored for the Falcons 24 minutes later (at 28:20) to finish off the scoring for the match. The goal was Summers' second of the season and came on a feeder from Jessica Mazzorato (So/London, ONT).

Goalkeeper Emilie LaMarche (Fr/Rockland, ONT) continued her stellar play between the pipes on Saturday. The newcomer in net was fronted by an excellent Falcons' defense in the opening period and did not see a shot on net. In the second frame, however, LaMarche collected five saves and put a lid on the opponents' goal for her sixth shutout of the season (five wins, one tie).

Credit the shutout also to the NDC backfield, which went two matches over the weekend - 200 minutes total - without allowing a quality shot to find nylon. Veteran defenders Ann Brackman (Sr/Madison, OH) and Jessica Skoien (Jr/Rowland Heights, OH) led the NDC defense, and both would be recognized by tournament officials in the post-match release of the Couar Classic All-Tournament Team.

"This was a good weekend for us," said NDC Head Coach Mike Shiels. "It puts us in a good place as we get into the conference portion of our schedule, and the girls know we can play with top teams."

NDC is slated to return to the pitch Friday, Sep. 21, when they host Roberts Wesleyan (NY). Kickoff in the Falcons' first of three conference home matches is scheduled for 7:00pm.

Notes from the Nest...

Four Falcons All-Cougar: Ann Brackman, Emilie LaMarche, Jessica Mazzorato, and Jessica Skoien were all named to the WG Grinders Cougar Classic All-Tournament sqaud for their efforts over the weekend. Brackman was named the Classic's Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Net numbers: The Falcons went 2-0-1 on the week against quality competition despite putting just 30.3 percent (10-of-33) of their shots on goal. Kelly Brown, Jill Summers, Megan Wydra (Jr/North Royalton, OH) accounted for the Blue & Gold's only three shots on goal against Nyack Saturday. For the season, NDC has a 48.9 shot-on-goal percentage (64-of-131).

Half-empty for opponents: NDC has not allowed a first-half goal this season, through eight contests. For the season, the Falcons have scored eight times in the first period, nine in the second, against zero and two, respectively, for their opponents. NDC's 17-2 goal advantage, not to mention their 6-0-2 record, is the best in program history through eight matches.

Runner-up in Mt. Vernon: Notre Dame finished second in the two-day tournament hosted by Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. NDC posted a 1-0-1 record with a plus-two advantage in goals. Host MVNU was the tournament champion, with a 1-0-1 record and a plus-five advantage. The Cougars tied Berry, 1-1, in Saturday's second match.