SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – After a tough week on the road resulting in a loss and tie, the Notre Dame College women's soccer team bounced back with a 4-0 win at home against Shepherd (4-5-5). The Falcons (10-3-2) improved to 7-0 when playing at home this season.
 
NDC was able to get on the board early in the game with a goal from Norah Barnes in the 12th minute. Barnes found her way into the penalty box to receive a nice pass from Janelle Bernal and scored her second goal of the season.
 
"Norah puts herself in good positions," said head coach Mike Shiels. "She does a lot of the grunt work in the midfield so it's good for her to be rewarded. That's all her. She's put herself in good spots and she's been able to take advantage of that."
 
Minutes later, Alexis Manoa scored for the Falcons to go up 2-0 in the 18th minute. Manoa was happy about the win and pleased in the team's ability to score so quickly, something NDC has struggled with this season.
 
"It was great," Manoa said after the victory. "We had a little rough patch so it feels good to come out and score in the first half. It gives us a confidence boost going into this next game."
 
Manoa's goal was assisted by fellow senior Jackie Corrigan. It was the third time this season the duo has assisted on each other's goals. Manoa said after the game that the two have really connected this year with the experience of playing four years together.
 
Notre Dame added a lot of pressure in the second half, getting off eight shots, including six on goal. The constant attack was a big part of what led to the win margin according to Shiels.
 
"I think that's a big part of it," Shiels said. "We were able to keep possession and play a little quicker. We involved our wide players and it led to good opportunities and good possessions."
 
In the second half, the Falcons scored two more goals. The first was another from Manoa and the second was an own goal scored directly following a corner kick by Brooke LeForce.
 
Manoa's second goal was the 20th of her career and broke a school record for most career goals. The Strongsville, Ohio native now holds career records in four major categories: goals (20), points (69), assists (29) and game-winning goals (10).
 
"It means a lot," Manoa said. "You work your whole life to play college soccer so to set a record is truly humbling. I have to give credit to my teammates for setting me up to score goals and scoring off my assists."
 
The 4-0 win is the second shutout of the season for the Falcons and the second of freshman goalkeeper Kyra McDowell's career. McDowell (9-2-1) recorded two saves against the Rams, facing a total of three shots. Leading the NDC defense were Jillian Doss, Riley Doyle, Sarah Grossman and Andrea Spinelli.
 
Along with the win, the Falcons secured a top-two spot in the MEC standings and will host a playoff game during the conference post season.
 
Notre Dame will play the conference-leading West Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday, October 22 at 12 p.m.