SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – When Notre Dame College women's soccer head coach Mike Shiels was asked if his team wanted revenge against Fairmont State after falling 1-0 earlier in the season, he had a one word response.
 
"Absolutely."
 
The Falcons got their pay back on Thursday afternoon in a 2-1 victory with both offenses getting multiple opportunities.
 
NDC was the first on the board as they took a 1-0 lead into halftime after senior Maranda Melton was able to convert on a penalty kick. Melton, who started the season at forward after transitioning from defense earlier in her career, has gone back to playing in the defensive half in the last few games. But it wasn't her wide array of experience that went into deciding she be the one to take the shot.
 
"So much of it is temperament and wanting the ball," Shiels said. "She wanted it. And she made sure we got it in."
 
Fairmont State then tied things up at the 60-minute mark with a long shot taken from Louise Welch. Welch, 35 yards out, was able to put the ball in the upper right corner just out of the reach of Kyra McDowell.
 
McDowell was able to save six shots in the contest on her way to her 18th career win, which is tied for third most all time in NDC history.
 
With the motivation of the loss earlier this year still calling to the NDC players, the team went on the offensive, getting off five shots in the final 30 minutes.
 
One of those final five shots scored as Isabel Sentle was able to score on a one-on-one shot. Sentle got free after a pass from Norah Barnes split two defenders.
 
The Falcons hung on to win the game and  avenge their loss from earlier in 2018.
 
"It was important for us," Shiels said. "We knew if we got a win today that it's in our hands again. We weren't happy losing that game earlier this year. The girls responded really well and we came out and got a win today. 
 
"We talked about it all week. We've been at or around the top of the conference every year and we want to make sure we stay there. When things happen and a game doesn't go the way we think it should, it's nice to have another game to make it right."
 
NDC earned three points with the win to jump Fairmont State in the MEC North Division standings. With 15 points, the Falcons now lead the MEC North while FSU has only 13.
 
Notre Dame will play at West Liberty on Sunday, October 7, at 3 p.m.