LEMONT, Ill. – The fifth-ranked Falcons (6-0-0) were led by the feet of junior #Luke Holmes#, Oldham, England to their sixth straight win, a 3-0 result over the University of St. Francis (Ill.) (2-4-0).
The first half would provide five scoring chances for the host Fighting Saints. NDC goalkeeper #Alex Klein#, a junior from Frankfurt, Germany would turn away all four shots on target preserving the Falcons sixth straight clean sheet. 

NDC would generate nine scoring opportunities over the first 45 minutes. The Falcons breakthrough would come at the 40:20 mark when Luke Holmes stepped up and converted his third penalty kick of the year giving the Falcons their first lead of the match. 

At the break, NDC would lead the Fighting Saints 1-0 behind #Luke Holmes#' fifth goal of the year.
The Falcons would come out of the break with a charge that has defined their season. Holmes would receive a dish from #Ryan McGreevy#, a freshman from Salford, England and slotted home his second goal of the game at the 68:45 mark doubling the Falcons lead 2-0. 

Holmes would finish off his hat trick at the 80:00 mark on an assist from #Erik Beattie#, a sophomore from Madison, Ohio. 

"This was a highly contested affair. USF pushed us all the way. This was a good win on the road for us tonight" Coach Michael “Mac” McBride said. 



NOTES FROM THE NEST … 

NO FIGHTING SAINTS: The Falcons have defeated the Fighting Saints by a combined 12-0 in their three meetings all-time. 

STREAKING FALCONS: NDC improved their streak to six consecutive clean sheets and ties the 2002 squad for fifth all time with six clean sheets in a year. The 2005 NDC squad became the first Falcons team to earn an NAIA National Tournament appearance. During the 2005 season the Falcons kept nine clean sheets a school record. The 2004, 2007, and 2009 squads all kept 7 clean sheets. 

CLEAN SWEEP: The Falcons have gone a record 6 straight games without conceding a goal, the previous best streak was three games by the 2005 and 2006 teams.