Box Score SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- On another hot early September day, the Notre Dame College women's soccer team played host to the visiting Shepherd University Rams on Tuesday afternoon. The Falcons used a goal from first-half Alex DeFilippo and relied on a strong defensive unit to beat the Rams, picking up the first Mountain East Conference victory over the season as well.

Play between the Falcons and Rams was somewhat physical throughout the first half, a trend that would continue throughout the game. The Falcons created numerous offensive chances, but couldn't convert early as the scoreless stalemate continued throughout the first half.

In the 30th minute, the Falcons' offense finally broke through. Alex DeFilippo showed off her speed, bursting downfield to fire an impressive shot at the back of Shepherd's net to give NDC a 1-0 lead.

The score remained 1-0 going into the halftime intermission. The Falcons outshot the Rams 7-2 in the first half, and also held a 3-1 advantage on corner kicks, controlling the tempo for much of the half.

That same theme of ball control and tempo continued throughout the second half, and the Falcons' defense continuously cleared offensive chances for the Rams. Louisa Rygh made much-needed saves in goal for the Falcons, and the offense continued to keep the ball on Shepherd's half of the field.

From there, the Falcons held on for the narrow 1-0 victory over the Rams in their first Mountain East Conference contest of the season.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 2-1 on the season, as well as 1-0 in MEC play. NDC will return to action on Friday, Sept. 11 at home against West Virginia Wesleyan in a rematch of last season's MEC Championship game, which the Falcons won by a score of 1-0.

Game time on Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m.