LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Sophomore Ashley Rucker (Rocky River, Ohio) scored a hat trick as part of a five-goal outburst, as Notre Dame ousted Carlow (Pa.), 5-0, Saturday. Notre Dame dominated all phases of the match, out-shooting the Celtics, 15-5, and not allowing CU to develop any quality chances.
NDC's five goals mark the most they've scored this season and their most in a match since scoring seven at Carlow last October (Oct. 20, 2007).
With the win, the Falcons remain unbeaten in the American Mideast Conference (AMC) at 3-0, and their season record now stands at 4-2. Carlow falls to 1-6 on the season.
Rucker scored her first goal in the ninth minute of the match, when she found nylon in the right corner of the net on a breakaway up the right side.
The transfer from Edinboro (Pa.) then scored four minutes later (at 12:28), when she beat Carlow goal keeper Selena Rowan (Jr./Monaca, Pa.). In the 23rd minute, Rucker received a cross from senior Natalie Bernot (Mentor, Ohio) on the left flank, which she deposited in the Carlow goal for her third netfinder of the match.
Sophomore Jill Summers (South Euclid, Ohio) then got in on the act just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, she got behind the Celtic defense and booted a shot top-shelf left-side to put Notre Dame up, 4-0. The Falcons out-shot the Celtics, 8-2, in the first.
In the second frame, Notre Dame got a goal from junior Jessica Mazzorato (London, Ont.) to round out the scoring.
“We did some things well today,” said head coach Mike Shiels. “We were able to play most our roster and have our bench log some minutes, which you always like to do early in the season if possible.”
After Saturday's match, Notre Dame takes a day off and returns for the final of three straight home games on Monday, Sept. 22, when they host Ursuline at 7:00 p.m.
NOTES FROM THE NEST…
KORB VALUES: Notre Dame is now 2-0 at home this season. NDC earned a 1-0 victory in their home opener on Tuesday against No. 19 Houghton. … Over the past two seasons, the Falcons are now 7-1-1 at home, outscoring visitors, 16-6, in those nine matches. … The Falcons will play two of their next three matches at Korb Field.
A-OK IN THE AMC: The Falcons are 3-0 in AMC play this season. NDC is one of three undefeated squads in the 14-team circuit, along with Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) and Cedarville.
HATS OFF TO ASHLEY: Ashley Rucker's hat trick is Notre Dame's first since Oct. 18, 2007, when Natalie Bernot tallied all three goals of a 3-0 win at Urbana. Rucker has now scored four goals this season, which leads the team.
