BECKLEY, W.Va. – Needing one point to clinch a spot in the Mountain East Conference Tournament, the Notre Dame College women's soccer team stormed into Concord University and did just that. NDC junior
Kalie Blaising tallied the Falcons lone goal during the 1-1 tie, to cement Notre Dame College into the MEC Tournament for 10
th consecutive season. Moreover, NDC has made the postseason tournament every season since joining the conference back in 2013.
The first half started quickly with Concord posting a pair of shots on goal in the third and fourth minutes, but senior
Jordan Pasalaqua handled them both without a problem.
The rest of the stanza became a stalemate before a pair of chances for both sides during the final 15 minutes of the half. Pasalaqua used a kick save after she was tested during a one-on-one with a CU attacker in the 33
rd minute. On the other hand, Blaising sent a shot on target in the 39
th minute but the score remained 0-0 into the break.
Less than 15 minutes into the second half, sophomore
Louisa Follert found Blaising at the top of the CU box, before the Mansfield, Ohio native ripped at shot into the top of the goal. Blaising's fourth goal of the season put Notre Dame College on top 1-0 in the 59
th minute.
Concord quickly responded with the equalizing goal in the 65
th minute, knotting the score at 1-1.
The two sides would struggle to gather any offensive momentum for the remainder of the contest until the 90
th minute of the match. Pasalaqua's number was called once more as she made a diving save after a CU set piece in the final 10 seconds of the game. NDC earned the tie and more importantly one point in the standings, securing a berth into the MEC Tournament.
The draw snaps Concord's six-match win streak, dating back to Oct. 2.
Notre Dame College was led on offense by Blaising's three shots, including her fourth goal of the year. Follert tallied her first of assist of the season as she has pumped life into the Falcon offense since returning from injury.
The Notre Dame College women's soccer team will wrap up their regular season with Senior Day at Mueller Field on Sunday Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. as Alderson Broaddus comes to town.