RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- #Tom Mellor# found the net twice to lead the seventh-ranked (NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll) Notre Dame Falcons to a 3-0 victory over Spring Arbor (Mich.) at the D. Wayne Evans Classic. 

The Falcons (1-0-0), who out-shot the Cougars, 39-2, for the game, cruised to the victory despite a scoreless first half.  In that first frame, Notre Dame had 18 shots and put six on frame, but they were unable to break through.  The Falcons held SAU without a shot over the first 45 minutes of play.

“A combination of nerves and a challenging surface actually meant for a scrappy first half,” said NDC Head Coach #Michael “Mac” McBride#.”As we went into the second half the boys had settled and we made a couple substitutions, it was just a much, much stronger second half.” 

Mellor, a sophomore from Shaw, England, opened the Falcons' 2010 account when he became the benefactor of a #Luke Holmes# assist at the 38:40 mark of the second half.

The second-year midfielder would then put the Falcons up with his second goal of game, striking at the 32:20 mark unassisted. 

For their third goal, senior forward #Steven Kane# bolted down the right side and floated a cross to the back post that senior midfielder #Mohamut Sougoufara# volleyed into into the back of the net with under 4 minutes remaining.  That goal would be the insurance McBride and the Lads in Blue & White needed to ice away the shutout win in the season opener. 

In the second stanza, NDC's offense produced 21 shots (eight on goal).  Spring Arbor (0-1-0) managed just two shots in the second.

With the victory, Notre Dame starts off a season with a win for the fourth year in a row.


NOTES FROM THE NEST ... 

FRESH FACES:  Notre Dame's starting lineup on Saturday included seven underclassmen (three freshmen, four sophomores).

MEET THE COUGARS:  Spring Arbor returned just 13 players from last year's 8-10-1 squad.  Friday's meeting between the Cougars and Falcons marked the first between the two programs.

A NEAR-PERFECT '10':  In 10 season openers, NDC Men's Soccer is now 7-1-2.  ... With Friday's win, the Falcons are now 6-3 in neutral-site matches since 2007.

[Postgame audio with Michael "Mac" McBride]