SCHERERVILLE, Ind. -- The Falcons (4-0-0) picked up their fourth consecutive victory, a 3-0 result at the Calumet Crimson Wave Invitational over Calumet College of St. Joseph (1-3-0) to bring home their first silverware of the season. The seventh-ranked (NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll) Falcons outshooting their opponent 14-3, for the game, sailed to a school record, fourth consecutive shutout victory. (Audio Recap) (Box)

CCSJ entered the Calumet Crimson Wave Invitational Championship match, defeating Marygrove College (2-2-0) 4-0 on Saturday. The Crimson Wave held a 1-0 lead before scoring three goals in the final six minutes to cruise past the Mustangs. 

“I think its fair to say this is the most talented team they've (Calumet) had, they had several technically gifted players who definitely had the capability to hurt us. I think this is what makes the victory all the more pleasing.” Coach Michael “Mac” McBride said. “Our players were given one or two specific tasks to nullify Calumet's threats, and they carried them out well.” 

Christian Earnest, a sophomore forward from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio picked up his first tally of the year with a smashing header at the 1:38 mark of the first half. Earnest attacked a corner served by Tom Mellor from deep and smashed home his first goal of the season and the eventual match winner. 

At the 12:30 mark the Falcons pressure once again paid off as Tom Mellor, a sophomore midfielder from Shaw, England placed a pinpoint pass from the right wing to the feet of Steven Kane at the top of the box. Kane a senior from Hillsdale, Ohio turned and struck his fourth goal of the season past Crimson Wave's keeper Alex Gallegos, doubling the Falcons lead 2-0. 

Mellor and Kane would once again connect at the 20:57 mark extending the Falcons lead to 3-0. Kane's goal marked his second consecutive multiple goal game, third consecutive game with a goal, and his fourth consecutive game with either an assist or goal. 

Ending the first half leading 3-0, the Falcons extended their consecutive streak of 315 minutes without conceding a goal. 

The second half would begin to get a physical look in the second half with four cautions issued. Three Falcons and one Crimson Wave player going into the referee's book showed the importance of the championship match to both squads. 

The Falcons and Crimson Wave would battle the final period, despite outshooting the Crimson Wave 14-3 for the game, the Falcons would not break through for their fourth goal and the final whistle would signal the Falcons fourth consecutive shutout a 3-0 score line. 

Alex Klein, a junior goalkeeper from Frankfurt, Germany, went the distance for the fourth consecutive match earning his fourth clean sheet. 

Upon conclusion of the match, Steven Kane was selected as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Kane led the Falcons in scoring with four goals. Tom Mellor, Tom Owens and Luke Holmes joined Kane on the Crimson Wave Invitational All-Tournament Team.


NOTES FROM THE NEST …

HISTORY LESSON: NDC kicked off their first campaign Sept. 4, 2001 with a 2-5 loss to Tiffin. The Falcons marked their tenth year anniversary on Sept. 4, 2010 with a 6-0 win over Iowa Wesleyan at the Calumet College of St. Joseph Crimson Wave Invitational; the win would mark the schools 121st victory. 

FOUR NO SCORE: NDC made it four consecutive clean sheets to open a season for the first time in school history. The 2010 squad bettering the previous best, three clean sheets from the 2005 squad. 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. 

A LOOK AHEAD: NDC will face John Carroll University (1-0-0) in the local derby, Tuesday Sept. 7, 2010. The Falcons' First whistle will be at 7:00 p.m. (EST) at John Carroll University.