This Week: The Notre Dame College women's soccer team will travel to Concord University on Wednesday Oct. 26 for a 1 p.m. start, before hosting Alderson Broaddus University in the regular season finale on Sunday Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.
 
Records: NDC starts with a 6-7-3 and 5-6-3 record inside the Mountain East Conference, amassing 18 points and placing themselves in third place in the North Division. It is worth noting that the Falcons are five points clear of West Liberty in the standings, meaning NDC needs to win or tie once this week in order to clinch a bid into the postseason. Moreover, CU is currently 11-4-1 (9-4-1 MEC) and currently in second place in the MEC South Division with 28 points. Lastly, AB is 0-12-3 (0-12-2 MEC) and in the sixth and final spot in the MEC North Division with two points.
 
Updated MEC Tournament Details: The Mountain East Conference has approved an expanded field for the 2022 season as the top four teams from each division will now be invited into the postseason. Previously, only the top three teams from each division received a bid into the tournament. The quarterfinal format will begin with the No. 1 team in each division hosting the No. 4 team from their respective division, while No. 2 hosts No. 3 (within each respective division). The tournament is slated to begin on Tuesday Nov. 1.
 
Coaches Corner: Mike Shiels headlines the Notre Dame women's soccer program for his 20^th season at the helm. Shiels carries a 193-125-33 career record, to go along with three MEC Tournament championships and four MEC Coach of the Year honors. Luke Duffy has been in charge of the Concord women's soccer program seven seasons, holding a career mark of 81-31-14. Lastly, Jaron Hulme is in his fifth season at Alderson Broaddus.
 
Series History: The Falcons are 11-5-1 all-time against Concord, dating back to their first meeting in 2013 and including their most recent matchup last season when CU won 4-0. NDC is 3-0-1 when going up against AB all-time, dating back to their first meeting in 2011 and including the 0-0 draw back on Sept. 21.
 
Noting the Falcons: Last week, Notre Dame College went 1-1, beginning with a 1-0 defeat to Fairmont State. Both teams recorded 11 shots in the tight match. NDC responded with a resounding 7-0 victory at Glenville State on Sunday, as sophomore Louisa Follert posted her third career multi-goal game. In addition, the goals were her first of the season, while junior Daniella Barbetta and sophomore Aria Evans-Roskos also tallied their first goals on the year.
 
The Falcons offense has been led by junior Madison Marino this season, as the Stow, Ohio native has a team-high six goals. Freshman Maridza Desir (5), junior Kalie Blaising (3), Follert (2) and freshman Emma Buda (2) have also scored multiple goals on the season. Buda leads the team in shots (28) and shots on goal (19), while being the only Falcon with multiple assists.
 
In goal, senior Jordan Pasalaqua has tallied an MEC leading seven shutouts this year, including 24 during her career. The Madison High School product is second in the conference in save percentage (.840), fourth in goals against average (.867) and sixth in saves per game (4.53). Pasalaqua has registered 68 saves on 155 shots faced.
 
As a team, NDC has scored 23 goals on 11.1 shots per game, to go with 10 assists, 67 corner kicks and 76 team saves. The Falcons rank 24^th in the country with a .570 shot accuracy mark.
 
Noting the Mountain Lions: Last week, Concord University went 2-0 en route to their sixth straight victory. CU took down WU on Wednesday 6-3, as Leah Foster and Courtney Smith each scored twice during the high scoring affair. On Sunday, the Mountain lions dominated Alderson Broaddus 5-0, as CU outshot AB 31-1.
 
Foster and Jayme Millard pace Concord's high-powered offense with 10 goals scored apiece, ranking them tied for fourth in the MEC. In addition, the duo ranks top 10 in the MEC in shots and shots on goal per game.
 
Michelle Brogden adds seven goals on the year, while Smith leads the team with six assists.
 
In goal, Leah Marsh ranks fifth in the conference in goals against average (1.267) and save percentage (.771), while being tied for third in shutouts (5) and placing seventh in saves per game (4.27). Marsh has recorded 64 saves on 154 shots faced.
 
As a whole, Concord has scored 49 goals on 17.3 shots per game, to go with 28 assists, 106 corner kicks and 69 team saves. The Mountain Lions ranked seventh in scoring offense (3.06 goals per game) and seventh in shot accuracy (.616) across NCAA Division II.
 
Noting the Battlers: Last week, Alderson Broaddus went 0-2, pushing their losing streak to nine straight games. On Wednesday, AB fell to Frostburg State 4-1, while getting outshot 32-2. The Battlers faced Concord on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-0 as they were outshot 31-1.
 
Alderson Broaddus deploys a balanced offense eight players accounting for their 12 team goals. Jacqueline Garcia is one of four players with two goals scored, as she leads the team with 17 shots, including eight on goal.
 
Between the pipes, goalie Olivia Kqira has been under fire all season long as she has faced 390 shots to this point. However, Kqira has done a solid job as she leads the nation with 138 saves, while ranking second with 9.20 saves per game. In addition, Kqira is seated first in the MEC in saves per game, sixth in save percentage (.758) and 10^th in goals against average (3.034).
 
As a unit, Alderson Broaddus has scored 12 goals on 6.1 shots per game, to go with five assists, 29 corner kicks and 143 team saves.