UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- On a night of many seconds, the Falcons (5-0-0) were led by two fantastic goals by Christian Earnest on their way to a fifth consecutive victory, a 4-0 result over John Carroll University (1-1-0). (Box) (Post Match Audio)

Earlier in the day, NDC moved up two spots to fifth place in the 2010 NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll (Regular Season No. 1) after appearing in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Falcons appear in the top five behind a 4-0-0 start to the season. The Falcons had outscored their opponents 16-0, including a 3-0 win over Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) on Sept. 5. Notre Dame slide up two spots and posted 505 total points. The second regular season Coaches' Top 25 Poll will be announced on Sept. 14. (NAIA Ranking)

JCU entered the local derby, defeating Denison (1-2-0), 2-1 on a goal in the 89th minute by Joe Ciacchi.

The first half produced 14 fouls and four yellow card cautions as both teams were proving the rivalry was alive and well despite the two teams not playing since 2003 when JCU defeated the Falcons 1-0. As local bragging rights were on the line, the action did not disappoint, NDC created five scoring opportunities on 11 shots in the opening 45 minutes. The Falcon back four of Jacob Child, Dan Knight, Philip Cutler, and Erik Beattie helped protect their net minder #Alex Klein# holding the host Blue Streaks to 3 shots and one scoring opportunity. Klein would come up big at the 32:58 mark when Dave Hickey forced the Falcons' keeper far to his right. A tremendous save by the junior from Frankfurt, Germany would produce his best save of the year, going down the ground with a diving save preserving the Falcons clean sheet streak to 392 minutes. 

NDC would come out of the break with the defining charge that has defined their season. Blue Streak's keeper Matt DeMarchi would come up with several outstanding saves before Christian Earnest, a sophomore from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio took a fantastic cross from #Carlo Manna#, a freshman from Sydney, Australia. Earnest would receive the ball in midair and turn the fantastic assist into an even better acrobatic side-volley goal, tucking the ball just inside the post to the right of the Blue Streak's goalkeeper at the 56:12 mark. 

Hopes fell for the hosts when Earnest made a spectacular individual effort. Taking on Blue Streak defender Jerry Rubino, Earnest swung a left footed strike to the back post of the goal behind DeMarchi doubling the Falcons lead 2-0 at the 67:42 mark. 

Adding to the NDC lead, attack minded Falcons fullback #Jacob Child#, a senior from Surrey, England would smash home his second goal of the season at the 69:52 mark. Child's goal would ensure the Falcons' fifth victory in the young season. 

After being held without a point for the first time in 2010 against Calumet College of St. Joseph, #Luke Holmes# would put his head down taking on three Blue Streak defenders before going into the penalty area. Going one-on-one with the host's net minder, Holmes would put a fake on DeMarchi before pushing the ball to the left and it looked a certain goal. DeMarchi, however, lunged for the ball bringing down Holmes. The referee would immediately point for a spot kick at the 85:55 mark. Holmes lined up for the ensuing spot kick with a cool confidence. Forcing DeMarchi to pick the wrong side, Holmes slotted the ball to the keeper's right putting the icing on the cake for the Falcons and a 4-0 lead. 

Just before the well-traveled Falcons' fans would erupt into jubilant celebration, emotions would turn to dismay. With only 8 seconds left to play, NDC's Mohamet Sougarfara's strong tackle would earn him an early shower after the referee showed him the red card. 

JCU's long free kick into the Falcons' box would wind the final five seconds off the clock. The referee's final whistle would signal the Falcons' fifth consecutive victory and another clean sheet. 

"That was the best game we've played this season, and with John Carroll being the opposition it had to be just that." Coach Michael “Mac” McBride said. "The lads really got after it in the second half, we're all very pleased with the result," said Coach Mac. 



NOTES FROM THE NEST … 

BACK TO BACK: Earnest becomes the Falcons first player to score multi game winners in 2010. He scored at the 1:38 mark into the Falcons previous match for his first game winner with aerial effort when he headed home a Tom Mellor corner kick. He earned his second consecutive match winner when he received fantastic cross from Carlo Manna, a freshman from Sydney, Australia. Earnest would receive the ball in midair and turn the fantastic assist into an even better acrobatic side-volley goal, tucking the ball just inside the post to the right of the Blue Streak's goalkeeper at the 56:12 mark. 

ROAD SEVEN: The Falcons have yet to play a home match on Sept. 7. Following their win against John Carroll, NDC move to 3-2 all-time in matches played on Sept. 7, earning victories over Shawnee State in 2001, 3-0, 2008 against La Roche, 5-1 and John Carroll in 2010 with their 4-0 victory in the local derby. They dropped matches to Marietta in 2002 to Marietta, 0-1 and Rochester in 2003, 0-4. 

FIVE ALIVE: NDC made it five 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 take to the road on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 traveling 372 miles to Lemont, Ill. for the St. Francis University Tournament to take on the hosts' St. Francis University (1-3-0). The first round match-up will mark the third between the two squads, NDC hold an all-time record of 2-0-0 against the Fighting Saints. The teams last faced off on Sept. 9, 2007 with the Falcons winning by a commanding 8-0 score line. Falcons' first whistle will be at 7:00pm (EST). 

The second match of the St. Francis Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 will be played 13 miles to the south in Juliet, Ill. against Benedictine University at Springfield (1-2-0). The second round match-up will mark the first between the two squads. Falcon's first whistle will be at 11:00am.