COLUMBUS, Ohio – Notre Dame claimed a fifth consecutive victory Saturday, winning another American Mideast Conference (AMC) match on the road. NDC topped Ohio Dominican, 3-1, in Columbus, handing the Panthers their first conference loss.
David Manson, George Kephart, and Steven Kane connected on goals for Notre Dame, which is now 3-0 in AMC play. A solid Notre Dame defense held down what had been a high-scoring Panther offense coming into the match.
The win sets a new school record for a best start to a season for NDC, with the Falcons winning eight of their first nine contests.
For Notre Dame (8-1), the win over Ohio Dominican (3-3-1) was the Falcons' first since the 2002 season. NDC is now 2-2 all-time against ODU.
Freshman David Manson (Hartlepool, England) started the NDC scoring by answering an early Panther goal with a beautiful header off a perfect cross from midfielder Josh Lipka (So./Lexington, KY). The teams played even throughout the rest of the half, and went into the locker rooms knotted at 1-1.
As has been the case for most of the season, Notre Dame took control after halftime. George Kephart (Jr./Parma, OH) made the Panthers pay for a turnover in the penalty box, scoring the eventual game-winner in the 50th minute. With that goal, Kephart is now tied for the team lead with five goals on the season.
NDC put the game on ice in the 86th minute on a goal by sophomore Steven Kane (Jeromesville, OH) after the ODU keeper gave up a rebound on a wicked shot from freshman Luke Holmes (Oldham, England).
With those two goals, NDC is now plus-9 in second-half scoring margin this season.
Freshman goalkeeper Alex Klein (Frankfurt, Germany) kept the Panthers at bay after subbing for starter Craig Pickering (Jr./Newcastle, England) in the 17th minute. Klein finished the game with five saves.
“This was our biggest win so far this season,” said head coach Michael “Mac” McBride. “Our bench was invaluable tonight.”
Along with Klein and Kane, the Falcons were sparked by the play of substitutions Justin Orr (Fr./Westerville, OH), James Wood (Sr./Barnsley, England), Simon Rumbold (Jr./Swindon, England), and Luke Jackson (Jr./Burnley, England).
The first-place Falcons will be back in action Tuesday, Sept. 30, when they take on AMC foe Daemen at Korb Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
NEWS FROM THE NEST…
SCORING MACHINES: After scoring two goals after the intermission tonight, the Falcons have now outscored their opponents, 12-3, in the second half this season. … George Kephart has now scored in two straight matches, and David Manson has scored in three of the last four, not counting the forfeit win over Illinois Tech (Sept. 20).
A BIT OF RETRIBUTION: The win Saturday was the first for NDC over the Panthers since Oct. 16, 2001. Ohio Dominican had won the teams' previous two meetings (Nov. 6, 2004 and Nov. 3, 2007). Both of those losses to ODU came in postseason play, ending the 2004 and 2007 seasons for the Falcons.
