This Week: The Notre Dame College women's soccer will round out their three-game homestand on Wednesday Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. when West Virginia State University comes to Mueller Field. On Sunday Oct. 16, the Falcons will travel to Frostburg State University for an 11 a.m. kickoff.
 
Records: NDC is currently 4-4-3 and 3-3-3 inside the Mountain East, placing them in eighth place. The Falcons will have their hands full this week as WVSU is 11-0-1 (9-0-1 MEC) and in first place, while FSU sits at 10-1-1 (8-1-1 MEC) and in second place.
 
Coaches Corner: Mike Shiels headlines the Notre Dame women's soccer program for his 20^th season at the helm. Shiels carries a 191-122-33 career record, to go along with three MEC Tournament championships and four MEC Coach of the Year honors. Lisa Mann is in her fourth year as the head coach of West Virginia State. Brian Parker is in his 21^st season with Frostburg State, holding a career record of 249-117-44.
 
Rankings: West Virginia State University is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation, as Frostburg State is receiving votes to be ranked, according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll 6.
 
Series History: NDC is 0-1 all-time when playing WVSU, dating back to their only meeting last season where the Yellow Jackets won 4-2 on their home turf. The Falcons are 3-3-1 when facing FSU all-time, dating back to their first meeting in 2019, and including the Bobcats 2-1 on Mueller Field earlier this season.
 
Noting the Falcons: Last week, Notre Dame played solid by going 1-0-1, beginning with a 1-1 draw with Davis & Elkins. On Sunday, the Falcons downed Charleston 2-0 as freshman Maridza Desir netted all three NDC goals on the week. The freshman was named MEC Offensive Player of the Week, marking the first time an NDC Falcon has received the award since Oct. 9, 2017. Also turning in a good week was senior goalkeeper Jordan Pasalaqua who recorded a season-high eight saves against D&E and her MEC-leading fifth shutout against UC.
 
Leading the Notre Dame College offense has been Desir and junior Madison Marino who each show four goals to their name. Junior Kalie Blaising and freshman Emma Buda add to the Falcons attack with a pair of goals each. All four NDC Falcons are efficient and effective with the ball by tallying more than 50% percent of their shots on goal. Desir leads the pack with .846 percent shot accuracy.
 
In goal, Pasalaqua has now generated 22 career clean sheets, which is the second most in NDC program history. The Madison High School product has logged 48 saves on 113 shots faced, to go with a .842 save percentage and a 0.90 goals against average. The senior ranks first in the Mountain East in save percentage and shutouts, while being third in goals against average and sixth in saves per game (4.8).
 
As a team, Notre Dame College has scored 15 goals on 10.5 shots per game, to go with seven assists, 46 corner kicks and 56 team saves. The Falcons are the third best team in NCAA Division II in terms of shot accuracy by registering 66 of 95 shots on goal (.695).
 
Noting the Yellow Jackets: Last week, West Virginia State went 2-0 to improve their winning streak to four straight games as they remain unbeaten this season. On Wednesday, the Yellow Jackets took down West Liberty 1-0, following a 68^th minute goal from Fran Soares-Cupertino. On Sunday, WVSU won 3-1 over Alderson Broaddus, Soares-Cupertino contributed to all three goals for the Yellow Jackets (G, 2A).
 
As aforementioned, Soares-Cupertino is the fuel for the West Virginia State offense as she leads the country in goals scored (16) and points (40), while ranking fourth in shots per game (5.17) and tied for seventh in assists (8). Soares-Cupertino is the focal point for WVSU as she has attempted 68 shots this season, nearly double that of the next player on the team.
 
The Yellow Jackets have other goal scorers on their roster including Esther Dhiramo (8), Brooklyn Pritt (5) and Sandra Linares (4). Dhiramo ranks fifth in the MEC in goals and sixth in assists.
 
Laura Galindo is between the pipes for West Virginia State. She flashes 44 saves on 110 shots faces, to go with an .815 save percentage, 0.91 goals against average and three shutouts. She ranks fourth in the MEC in goals against average, third in save percentage, tied for third in shutouts and 10^th (last) in saves per game (3.67).
 
As a unit, West Virginia State has a potent offense that has scored 41 goals on 19.1 shots per game, to go with 24 assists, 54 corner kicks and 48 team saves. The Yellow Jackets are amongst the top in NCAA Division II in goals (5^th), shots per game (10^th) and assists (t-16^th). Lastly, WVSU is the third best scoring offense in the nation with 3.42 goals per game.
 
Noting the Bobcats: After starting the season a perfect 9-0-0, Frostburg State stumbled last week by going 0-1-1, beginning with a 3-1 loss at Concord. On Saturday, the Bobcats traveled to Wheeling and tied 2-2, despite outshooting the Cardinals 28-13.
 
Toni Fiocco-Mizer is the heart and soul to the Frostburg State offense with her team-high nine goals, 21 points, 35 shots, 20 shots on goal and six game-winning goals. She is tied for second in the MEC in goals, tied for eighth in assists and 10^th in shots per game (3.00).
 
Carolyn DeSena (5), Catherine Smith (5) and Mackenzie Alonso (4) also contribute on the offensive side of the ball as DeSena and Smith rank tied for eighth in the MEC in goals.
 
In goal, Ashley Bilger has generated two shutouts while recording 32 saves on 77 shots faced. She has an .800 save percentage and a 0.75 goals against average. Bilger ranks second in goals against average and fifth in save percentage in the MEC.
 
As a whole, Frostburg State has scored 32 goals on 19.4 shots per game, to go with 20 assists, 83 corner kicks and 35 team saves. The Bobcats are ranked eighth in the country in shots per game, tied for 11^th in corner kicks per game, 17^th in scoring offense (2.67) and 20^th in goals.