PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- Only needing a win to clinch the American Mideast Conference (AMC) regular season title, Notre Dame could hold on to a lead to defeat Shawnee State in their regular season finale on Saturday. Shawnee (6-10-2, 3-8-2 AMC) notched two second half goals for the 2-1 victory over the Falcons (11-4-1, 10-2-1). With the loss, NDC falls to third in the AMC while Houghton (N.Y.) clinches the conference title.
Despite outshooting the Bears 25-6, the Falcons couldn't capitalize to build on a 1-0 lead. In the Falcon shooting barrage, Bears goalkeeper Sam Rolsen (Jr/Cincinnati, Ohio) made 12 saves while Emilie Lamarche (So/Rockland, Ont.) finished the day with two.
Notre Dame got on the scoreboard first in the 25th minute when Ashley Rucker (So/Rocky River, Ohio) received a pass from Anic McKay (Fr/Orleans, Ont.) and was able to chip the ball just past Rolsen.
In what seemed like a secured 1-0 win, Shawnee State rallied to even the score with just under six minutes remaining in regulation when Kat Westendorf (So/Amelia, Ohio) scored off a corner kick series. Barely 60 seconds later, Westendorf pushed upfield for the game-winning goal at 85:49 and rocketed the ball past Lamarche from 18 yards out.
"Shawnee was ready for this game," said head coach Mike Shiels. "I give them credit as we just couldn't match their enthusiasm on the field today. We were not able to execute our game plan and we came up on the short end of things."
With the regular season completed, the Falcons await to hear the seedings and location of the AMC Tournament beginning on Nov. 8.
NOTES FROM THE NEST…
CONFERNCE CALL: Even though the Falcons were not able to clinch their first-ever AMC title, they are still in contention for the AMC Tournament. Champion Houghton will receive a bye for the tournament and an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. NDC will most likely earn a first round bye and play in the AMC Tournament semifinal match. The semifinals will be held in Columbus at Ohio Dominican who finished second in the AMC.
SUPER SHOOTERS SHOT DOWN: The Falcons had five players with four or more shots on goal but it wasn't enough to get the ball in the net in the loss to Shawnee State. On the season, Notre Dame has outshot the opponent 254-161 and Saturday's loss marks the second loss this season where the Falcons have outshot the opponent. NDC outshot Robert Morris (Ill.), 23-18 back on Sept. 7 but suffered a 2-1 loss in the effort.
