URBANA, Ohio - The Notre Dame College women's soccer team opened their season with an exciting overtime win on the road against Urbana University. The Falcons now sit atop the MEC standings in the fresh 2017 season with a 1-0 record. 

In the first half, NDC saw a lot of opportunities with five shots taken and seven corner kicks, but were unable to convert. After coming out of halftime tied 0-0 both teams scored quickly, tying it up again 1-1. 

Senior defender Jackie Corrigan was able to score first for Notre Dame on a breakaway, close-range shot assisted by Alexis Manoa at the 51:39 mark. A little over five minutes later, the Blue Knights scored their first goal of the season on a free kick taken by Alyssa Garberich that landed in the upper right corner of the goal. 

It was the only goal allowed by freshman Kyra McDowell in her debut with NDC. McDowell faced eight shots, making four saves. All four of her saves came in the second half of the game. 

Regulation ended 1-1, but the Falcons only needed another two and a half minutes to score in overtime. Janelle Bernal, a freshman forward out of San Diego, Calif., scored her first career goal and first game winning goal in the same attempt. Once again, the score was assisted by Alexis Manoa. 

Manoa played all 92 minutes along with McDowell, Norah Barnes, Jillian Doss, Riley Doyle, Sarah Grossman and Andrea Spinelli. 

Head coach Mike Shiels was proud of the way his team performed in their first game, happy to leave Urbana with a win. 

"It was kind of what you would expect from our opening game," Shiels said. "We did some really good things, but just couldn't produce an end product. Urbana is always a tough game on the road and today was no different. It was a good learning experience for our new players and I am happy that we were able to finish strong and come home with a win."

Notre Dame will compete again at home on Friday, September 8 against Wheeling Jesuit at 4 p.m.