NORTH CANTON, Ohio – Notre Dame defeated Walsh Saturday night by a final of 2-1. The No. 16 Falcons scored two first-half goals after spotting the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the match. Neither team found nylon in the second half, as the Falcons hung on to run their American Mideast Conference (AMC) record to 7-0.

The victory sets up Notre Dame (12-2 overall) as a contender for the AMC crown over the final two weeks of the regular season. The second-place Falcons will face third-place Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) and first-place Rio Grande (the nation's top-ranked team) over the next week (Oct. 21 and Oct. 25).

Freshman Daniel Knight (Abergele, Wales) netted NDC's first goal of the game less than a minute after Walsh took the lead.  Junior forward George Kephart (Parma, Ohio) picked up his seventh assist on the year to set up Knight's equalizer.

Freshman forward Luke Holmes (Oldham, England) then scored the game-winner in the 40th minute to keep the Falcons unbeaten in league play.  The score late in the first half was Holmes' team-leading 10th goal in his debut season in the blue and white.

The entire match was evenly played.  Possession was even, and scoring opportunities were even as well.  For the game, the Falcons outshot Walsh, 10-9. 

“As I've said many times before, the ability to get league wins on the road is always the difference between good teams and championship teams,” said assistant coach Carl Nolan.  “We will enjoy this one tonight, but realize that our most important stretch of the season is now.  We will be ready.”

Junior goalkeeper Craig Pickering (Newcastle, England) made five saves on the night to pick up the win.

NDC kicks off their week by travelling to Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) on Tuesday night.  Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.

NEWS FROM THE NEST…

HUGE WEEK AHEAD: This coming week will be a big test for the Falcons.  Not only will they face third-place Roberts Wesleyan on Tuesday (Oct. 21), but on Saturday (Oct. 25), NDC hosts Rio Grande, not only the first-place team in the AMC, but also the current No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA Coaches' Poll.  What's more Roberts defeated Rio Grande on Friday (Oct. 17), so neither opponent stacks up as anything less than a stern test. Two good results can solidify the Falcons' hold on the AMC title.

COMPUTER-FRIENDLY:  Aside from being ranked No. 16 in this week's NAIA Coaches' Poll, the Falcons are also ranked No. 5 in the most recent soccerrankings.com rating. The ranking is a computer rating of all 217 men's programs in the NAIA.