LYNDHURST, Ohio – The Notre Dame Falcons took advantage of a ruckus home crowd to defeat Urbana, 19-8, on Saturday afternoon, at Korb Field. (Box)
 
The Falcons scored early and often as they jumped out to a dominating 15-2 lead through the opening half before settling in for NDC's largest win of the season.
 
“It was great to be home on a Saturday,” head coach Torrey McGowan said. “The girls played well for a fantastic crowd. With all the support it really feels like we have a 13th player out there.”
 
Notre Dame (3-6) took an early 1-0 lead on Katrina Johnson's second goal of the season in the opening 60 seconds.
 
Urbana (1-9) responded when Nora Boeger received a pass and converted less than two minutes later, knotting the score at ones.
 
For the second straight game Jill Dixon responded to give Notre Dame a 2-1 lead when she scored an unassisted goal at the 26:48 mark. That goal by the Fenwick, Ontario, native gave a preview of good things for the third year attacker.
 
The Falcons leading scorer, Kristen Hull became the giver when she found Allison Merten eight seconds after Dixon gave the Falcons the lead.
 
Dixon found Hull at 23:55 for the Okemos, Mich., native's team leading 25^th goal as Notre Dame extended the lead to 4-1.
 
Dixon then Madalyn Dewling 19 seconds later for the Atlanta, Ga., native's first of five goals on the day as NDC extended its lead to a 5-1 advantage.
 
After providing back-to-back assists Jill Dixon scored the next two goals as Notre Dame scored four goals in 50 second span to jump out to a 7-1 lead.
 
Mackayla Meola put an exclamation point to the Falcons 7-0 run four minutes later. The Clarkston, Mich., native's first goal of the season gave NDC a decisive 8-1 lead at the 19:05 mark.
 
Emily Boerger netted her first – Urbana's second with 17 minutes remaining in the opening half to claw within six (8-2).
 
Notre Dame immediately responded with back-to-back goals by Dewling. A pair of goals by Kelly Matthewman and Kristen Hull along with Careni Lopez's first of the season gave Notre Dame a 15-2 lead at the break.
 
The Falcons outshot the Blue Knights 19-10 in the opening period. Urbana turned over the ball eight times while Notre Dame only turned it over five times. NDC held a decisive 6-2 advantage in ground balls through the opening 30 minutes.
 
Urbana opened the second half with Emily Boerger's 26 goal of the season as the Blue Knights got within 12 (15-3).
 
Kelly Matthewman would score her third of the game – sixth of the season 23 seconds later on an unassisted goal at 23:30.
 
Dewling would score the next two Notre Dame goals over 14 minutes apart on two separate assists by Matthewman as the Falcons extended its lead to 18-5 with 5:05 remaining.
 
Demi Bennett scored her first collegiate goal at the 4:28 mark for the final goal by the Falcons.
 
A goal by Norma Boerger would be followed up with back-to-back goals by Emily Boerger to conclude the scoring and NotreDame's largest win of the season, 19-8.  
 
The win for Notre Dame gave the Falcons their 28^th win at Korb Field since 2007. Since that point NDC has won over 90 percent (28-3) over the five plus seasons.
 
Notre Dame outshot Urbana 33-22 in regulation. The Falcons collected nine ground balls, while the Blue Knights picked up five.
 
Madalyn Dewling led the Falcons attack with five goals and an assist. Jill Dixon and Kelly Matthewman each scored a hat trick while providing three assists. Kristen Hull scored three goals and dished out two assists. Allison Merten scored and assisted a goal, while Demi Bennett, Katrina Johnson, Makayla Meola, and Careni Lopez each scored a goal.
 
Continuing with its strong schedule Notre Dame will head to Lewiston, N.Y., on Tuesday, April 3, for a 7 p.m. opening draw against Niagara. The game will be the second straight season the NCAA-I Purple Eagles and the Falcons have met. Last season Niagara earned the road win at Korb Field with a 12-9 result.