This week: The Notre Dame College women's soccer team will be on the road this week after a short two-game stint at home. On Wednesday Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. the Falcons will travel to their closest proximity conference opponent in Wheeling University. On Sunday Sept. 26 NDC will travel to Frostburg State in Maryland to play at noon.
 
Records: Notre Dame enters the week with an even 1-1-1 record (1-0-1, MEC). Wheeling will be hosting NDC with a 1-3 record (0-2, MEC), including a three-game losing streak. Frostburg State is currently 3-2 (2-1, MEC) and carry a two-game win streak into the week.
 
Coaches Corner: Mike Shiels is in his 19^th season at the helm of the NDC women's soccer program. Shiels has a career 182-110-27 record with NDC, including three MEC tournament championships and four MEC Coach of the Year honors. Theo Egbele is the head coach for Wheeling and is in his first season with the team (1-3 overall). Brian Parker is in his 20^th season with Frostburg State and has a 231-112-41 career record.
 
Rankings: None of these schools are ranked nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
 
Series History: Notre Dame will enter Wheeling an undefeated 15-0-0 all-time against the Cardinals dating back to 2013. NDC is 1-2-1 all-time against Frostburg State since the schools first met in 2019.
 
Noting the Falcons: During NDC's first two home games of 2021 last week, the team went 1-0-1 with a double overtime scoreless draw to West Liberty and a 3-1 victory over Fairmont State. Against the Hilltoppers, NDC recorded eight shots, however only one of which came on goal. That shot on goal for NDC did not register until the first overtime period. Jordan Pasalaqua in goal has been the anchor for the Falcon defense by keeping the team in games when the offense is not there. Although, in the Falcon's second match of the week the team saw an offensive outpour. Notre Dame posted 14 shots and ten on goal en route to netting their first three goals of the season. A team that has been shy to score the ball the last calendar year, was jump started by forwards Sammy Salatino and Louisa Follert who were the goal scoring Falcons on the day. The duo led the team by contributing nine shots, including seven on target and netting all three goals. Follert posted two goals, marking the freshman's first and second career collegiate goals.
 
On the season Notre Dame College has three goals scored and only two goals allowed. They have taken 27 shots and put 15 on target requiring saving, while the opposition has created slightly more opportunities with 32 shots and 18 on target. The Falcons have created 11 corner kicks, tallied two assists and have only one caution on the season.
 
Noting the Cardinals: This past week Wheeling dropped both of their matches to Mountain East Conference opponents in Fairmont State and Frostburg State. Against Fairmont State on Wednesday, Wheeling lost 3-2 after scoring the match's first two goals within the first six minutes of play. It was an evenly touted match with Wheeling posting 12 shots and 11 on goal to FSU's 14 shots and nine on goal. In their second match on Sunday against Frostburg State, the Cardinals lost 2-1 in another evenly matched contest that featured 17 (9) shots for WU and 19 (9) for FSU. These two matches are noteworthy for the Falcons as the teams have played common opponents, with NDC just defeating Fairmont State on Sept. 19, and will go on to play Frostburg State this Sunday Sept. 26.
 
In total, Wheeling has amassed seven goals on 60 shots with 38 on target. They have allowed the opposition to score eight times, with 68 shots and 39 on goal. As a team they have four assists, 14 corner kicks taken and totaled six yellow cards.
 
Noting the Bobcats: Frostburg State is fresh off of two wins this past week over Alderson Broaddus and Wheeling. On Wednesday against Alderson Broaddus, the Bobcats won 3-0 in a dominating effort. Frostburg was able to take 31 shots and register 17 on goal, while Alderson Broaddus only tallied three total shots with zero on target. On Sunday against Wheeling, it was a much more evenly balanced contest with Frostburg State coming out on top 2-1. The Bobcats had 19 shots and nine on goal, compared to the Cardinal's 17 shots and nine on goal. A game-winning goal from Lela Clark in the 57^th minute sealed the victory after a Wheeling equalizing goal was scored just six minutes prior.
 
In total, Frostburg is a faster paced team that likes to create opportunities with 81 shots and 44 shots on goal. In addition, they have eight goals to show for and have only allowed five. Their opponent's have shot 61 times and tallied 25 on goal. Frostburg has totaled five assists, created 28 corner kicks, all the while they have yet to be carded on the season.