LYNDHURST, Ohio – Notre Dame extended their unbeaten streak to five matches Tuesday, defeating Daemen (N.Y.), 4-0. Senior Natalie Bernot (Mentor, Ohio) contributed two goals and two assists, as the Falcons moved into first place in the American Mideast Conference with a 5-0-1 league mark.
With the win, Notre Dame (6-2-1) is now 4-0-1 over their last five matches. Their win over Daemen (5-5-1, 3-3-1) marks their sixth shutout victory of the 2008 season. The match was played in heavy rains and strong winds throughout much of the second half.
“That was a good win for us today,” said head coach Mike Shiels after the match. “We showed some creativity out there offensively. I like the way we controlled the ball at midfield. That led to some quality scoring opportunities for us.”
That play at midfield led to NDC outshooting DC, 16-5, for the match. The Falcons had nine shots on goal to the Wildcats' three.
Notre Dame struck first when Natalie Bernot dribbled down the left side and snuck a 15-yard grounder by Daemen keeper Joanna Daugenti (Sr./Seneca Falls, N.Y.). The goal was Bernot's third of the season, and it marked the second time this season she has scored the first goal in a match.
The NDC defense was staunch in the first period, not allowing a quality scoring chance until the 39th minute of the match. The Falcons outshot the Wildcats, 5-2, in the opening period.
Notre Dame put pressure on the Wildcats early in the second. That pressure culminated in the Falcons' second goal, a Bernot free kick from 25 yards out, at 51:26.
Nine minutes later Bernot would figure in another goal, this time setting up teammate Katie Christensen (Fr./Sandy, Utah) for NDC's third score. Bernot and Christensen set up a give-and-go down the middle of the field, and Bernot threaded a well-placed pass to Christensen who chipped a five-yarder past Daugenti.
Ten minutes later, Korb Field was pelted with winds and rain, and the match was finished in a downpour.
That didn't stop the Falcons from scoring one more goal to close out the 4-0 win. In the 78th minute, Bernot hit sophomore Ashley Rucker (Rocky River, Ohio) in front of the Daemen net. From close range, Rucker dribbled once and then lofted a floater over the Wildcat keeper into the goal.
Sophomore keeper Emilie Lamarche (Rockland, Ont.) went the distance for Notre Dame; she made three saves.
Notre Dame will take to the field again Saturday when they travel to Canton to take on Malone. Kickoff against the Pioneers is slated for 3 p.m.
NOTES FROM THE NEST…
N-DEE-C: On Tuesday, a staunch Notre Dame defense held Daemen scoreless on just nine shots. The NDC defense has now allowed just one goal over their last five matches. In four of those, the Falcon backfield has held the opposing offense to 10 shots or less.
