GREENSBURG, Pa. – Notre Dame started the 2011 season on Wednesday afternoon trailing within the first 90 seconds, and battled from behind the rest of the game, dropping a 17-8 result to Seton Hill (Pa.). (Box)

For much of the afternoon, Seton Hill (1-0) dominated the game and was able to control the tempo thanks to a commanding 12-8 margin in shots during the opening period. The Griffin's racked up 17 goals despite trailing the Falcons in total shots (22-21). SHU goalkeepers kept the Falcons at bay, making 15 saves compared to five by the Falcons.

Notre Dame (0-1) returned three of the top four goal scorers from last year's squad that scored 248 goals on their way to an 11-5-0 record. #Jen Hrobuchak# and #Katie Christensen# picked up where they left off each netting hat tricks.

Seton Hill and Notre Dame provided goals before two minutes had passed. The Griffins would go on the attack and score three consecutive goals to give the hosts a 4-1 lead. The Falcons would battle back scoring two of the following three goals to cut the Griffin's lead to 5-3. At the 23:52 mark, Notre Dame scored to cut the lead to 7-4.

SHU would close the half with back-to-back goals as the teams entered the break with the Blue & White trailing 9-4.

Seton Hill would open the second half with three straight goals in the first five minutes to put the Griffins up 12-4. Notre Dame would respond scoring the next two goals to trim the lead to 12-6 before Seton Hill closed the game on a 5-2 advantage to ensure the Griffins the 17-8 victory.

Next up, for the Falcons travel south to face Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) on Saturday to open their first of four games on a southern road swing during the schools spring break.