CHICAGO – NDC Women's Soccer started their 2008 season on the right foot with a 1-0 win over the host school in the St. Xavier (IL) Invitational on Saturday. For the Falcons, the host St. Xavier Cougars were not your run-of-the-mill season opening foe. SXU came into the season ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, after a 2007 run to the quarterfinals in the NAIA National Tournament.
In turning back St. Xavier, Notre Dame earned its first-ever win against a team ranked in the Top-10.
The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie in the first half, despite NDC outshooting SXU, 10-2. Even after the half, it would be another 30 minutes until the game's first and only netfinder.
The Falcon game-winner came when Ashley Rucker (So./Rocky River, OH) found twine on an Anic McKay (Fr./Orleans, ONT) pass. In the 75th minute of the match, McKay received a throw-in near midfield and started a four on three break to goal. She played a beautiful pass to the feet of Rucker, who beat her defender at the top of the 18-yard box before unleashing a rocket into the far right corner of the goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Emilie Lamarche (Rockland, ONT) picked up five saves for her 12th career shutout. NDC outshot the Cougars, 17-17, for the match.
“It's always a good thing to start the season off with a win,” said head coach Mike Shiels. “We played well considering our mix of returning and new players. This game gives a stepping stone to continue to improve as a unit.”
With this win, NDC has now won seven of their last eight games, dating back to last season.
The Falcons continue their season Sunday in their second game of the St. Xavier Invitational against Robert Morris (IL).
NEWS FROM THE NEST…
CAREER MILESTONE: Ashley Rucker's goal on Saturday was her first career goal for NDC. She transfered to NDC from Edinboro (PA) University.
MEET THE COUGARS: St. Xavier University is located in Chicago. They are the three-time defending Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Champions. Last year's NAIA National Tournament run was the school's first-ever berth in the quarterfinals. SXU finished the 2007 season with a record of 19-4-2 and a final ranking of No. 9.
HANGING ZEROES: The Falcons posted 11 shutouts a year ago in holding foes to a 0.74 goals-against average (T-2nd, AMC). St. Xavier was blanked just four times in 2007, when they went 19-4-2.
