ASHLAND, Ohio – Notre Dame College puts together a strong showing in their season opener against Ashland University, pulling ahead 10-2 at halftime and finishing with an 18-11 win, on Saturday afternoon.

Notre Dame's freshman Leslie Diaz won the first draw control and the Falcons went to work. Freshman Katie Wendell scored the first goal of the season, 32-seconds into the contest. Sophomore Bridie Schmalz had the assist. Nearly a minute later, Diaz scored her first goal of the day, after grabbing another draw control.

Ashland had a great opportunity to score their first goal with just under 26 minutes to play, but they missed three shots wide and turned the ball over.

Sophomore Selena Carter then put the ball in the back of the net for two of NDC's next three goals. Another goal by Diaz was sandwiched in between, and with 23:17 to go, NDC led 5-0.

Following a turnover, the Falcons cleared the ball and freshman Danyelle Hardy scored her first goal, with the assist going to Blaike Windsor. Leslie Diaz' third goal was then put into the back of the net, not too long after.

With 16:36 to go in the first half, Ashland picked up a ground ball after a turnover and turned it into their first goal of the game. Sofia Michael scored the point with Renee Ruppert on the assist.

Hardy, Diaz and Windsor each scored a goal in the final 10 minutes of play. Hardy's second goal came on a free position attempt. Ashland scored a second goal Michael grabbed possession of the draw control and scored the goal with 7:57 remaining.

The Falcons led 10-2 at the half and Diaz had four goals, Hardy had two, while Windsor added a goal and an assist.

In the second half, NDC picked up right where they left off. Diaz took the draw control and scored the Falcons' 11th goal, nearly a minute into the half. Schmalz had the assist. At that point, Notre Dame led 11-2, but the teams went back and forth on their offensive ends, the rest of the way.

Michael and Ruppert had back-to-back goals for the Eagles, before Carter and Diaz each scored a goal for Notre Dame. Michael then put the ball in the net for her fourth goal of the game and Ashland's fifth, total.

Sophomore Abigail Plewes caused the turnover and got the groundball, leading to a pass from Carter to senior Taylor Henderson for the goal. Henderson scored her second, just over two minutes later, from an assist by Carter. The second goal gave Notre Dame a 15-5 advantage.

After an Ashland goal, NDC put two more goals on the board, from Hardy and Wendell, giving Notre Dame  a 17-6 lead, with 11:12 remaining in the second stanza.

AU did put together a 5-1 run in the final 10 minutes of the contest, but Notre Dame took home their first win of the season, 18-11.

"I was proud of how energetic and hard we played at the start of the game," said head coach Pam Jenkins. "We are a young team with just three upperclassmen and although we have some things to work on, today was a testament that our future is bright."

Diaz finished the game with six goals on seven shots for NDC. She had six ground balls and four draw controls. Carter ended up with four goals on six shots, with two assists. Wendell, Hardy, Windsor and Henderson, each had two goals. McKenzie Shean recorded 15 saves. The Falcons finished the game at 83-percent on clear attempts.

For Ashland, Sofia Michael totaled six goals, eight ground balls, five caused turnovers and 14 draw controls. Ruppert and Haley Abraszek each had two goals. Ruppert also had two assists and three draw controls.

The Falcons will travel to Alamosa, Colorado to take on Adams State University on March 9. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.