CEDARVILLE, Ohio -- The No. 3 Notre Dame (14-0-0, 5-0-0 AMC) handed Cedarville (9-6-0, 2-3-0 AMC) their fourth consecutive loss of the season. The Falcons, the two-time defending AMC champion, posted a 2-1 win over CU for their record 14th consecutive win of the season.
Cedarville found itself trailing in the 21st minute despite creating a number of dangerous chances. The Yellow Jackets were turned away by the Falcons net minder, #Alex Klein# on successive shots. The junior goalkeeper, from Frankfurt, Germany first turned away Eric Newman's glancing header that looked destined for the back of the net in the 5th minute, then he stopped Newman's second header in the 16th minute with an aerobatic leap, pushing the ball over the bar.
#Luke Holmes#, the 2009 NAIA goal scoring leader put #Ryan McGreevy#, a freshman from Salford, England in on goal with a nifty flick over two Yellow Jacket defenders. McGreevy put the finishing touch on his 10th goal of the season, while Holmes, a junior from Oldham, England picked up his eighth assist giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead in front of over 300 Yellow Jacket fans.
The Yellow Jackets drew level in the 29h minute when a Cedarville attack got in behind the Falcons defense. Speedster Timmy Waller beat his man slipping Matt Niemiec a pass inside the penalty area where the 2009 NCCAA 2nd Team All-American blasted a shot past Klein for his 13th goal of the season, leveling the score at 1-1.
The Falcons would respond in the 40th minute when #Erik Beattie's# long range cross found Holmes' head around the penalty area. Holmes directed his header to the far post, past the Yellow Jackets keeper, Kevin Bender for his team leading 16th goal of the season and the Falcons 2-1 lead. The goal marked Holmes' 62nd career goal, just two shy of Jeremy Kephart's all-time leading 64 set in 2002.
The Falcons outshot the host Yellow Jackets 9-8 in the opening 45 minutes, held a distinct 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The second half would provide more drama and excitement for both teams. The two teams would combine for six shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes forcing Klein and Bender into several spectacular saves.
Klein would make one his seven saves when Niemiec broke in for a one on one. Rushing off his line, Klein would snuff out the Yellow Jackets' leading scorers attempt at the near post.
The Falcons, #Tom Mellor#, a sophomore from Shaw, England would be brought down by a Yellow Jacket defender and looked to earn the Falcons a penalty kick. The kick would be spotted right on the edge of the area and Holmes' ensuing free kick would sail over the bar, then Beattie would receive a caution in the 73rd minute after a strong tackle from a Yellow Jacket defender inside the Cedarville penalty area. The sophomore from Madison, Ohio looked to be in on goal before the tackle took him down and he earned a caution.
Despite the drama and chances, neither team would find the back of the net through the final 45 minutes giving the Falcons their record 14th consecutive win of the season 2-1.
The Falcons would outshoot the Yellow Jackets 17-14 and hold a commanding 6-2 advantage in corner kicks for the match.
Klein would be credited with seven saves on the evening for his 12th win of the season. For the season Klein has kept a .47 goals against average, good for 5th best in the NAIA.
Notre Dame will play their second consecutive game away from the friendly confines of Korb Field in defense of its American Mideast Conference title. The Falcons meet Daemen (4-9-0, 0-6-0 AMC) on Wednesday Oct. 20 at Amherst High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Falcons have outscored the Wildcats 19-0 in their previous three meetings. The Wildcats upset NDC in the 2006 AMC Conference Tournament on November 4, 2006 2-1. All-time the Falcons hold a 9-1-0 record against the Wildcats, last season the Falcons traveled to Amherst, N.Y. and defeated Daemen 10-0.
Wednesday's match can be heard on
NotreDameFalcons.com with Rudy Roediger and Stefan Perri bringing you the action. Coverage scheduled to begin 30 minutes before kickoff.
NOTES FROM THE NEST…
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: #Tom Mellor#, a sophomore midfielder from Shaw, England was named the American Mideast Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for games played Oct. 3-9 for his three goals and two assists against Malone Oct. 9.
UNPRECEDENTED: #Tom Mellor# became the sixth Falcon to be recognized by the AMC this season, #Alex Klein# and #Ryan McGreevy# earned respective Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 27-Oct. 2), #Mohamet Sougoufara# earned Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 20-26), #Luke Holmes# and #Daniel Knight# earned respective Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 6-12.). Holmes also became only the second NAIA National Player of the week when he earned the NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 6-12). Jeremy Kephart first earned the honor in 2002.
STREAKING FALCONS: Notre Dame is tied for the fourth longest active streak of being consecutively ranked in the NAIA Top 25 with 26 consecutive. The NAIA has 220 schools that sponsor men's soccer. Soccer is the largest single division sport for men in the NAIA. Only Men's Basketball has more schools. 261 schools sponsor basketball split between Division I (116) and Division II (145).
