SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Freshman Maridza Desir lit up the scoreboard on Mueller Field Sunday afternoon, as the Quebec, Canada native accounted for both of the goals during Notre Dame College's (4-4-3, 3-3-3 MEC) 2-0 victory against the University of Charleston (6-6, 6-4 MEC).
 
"We really needed those three points," mentioned Desir postgame. "So this win is a great way for us to step up in the conference."
 
The Falcons got the offense started early with several shots on goal by freshman Emma Buda and Desir. In the 24^th minute, Desir put NDC on top by sneaking a shot under the UC goalkeeper (1-0).
 
After a pair of Golden Eagles shots tended by Jordan Pasalaqua, Desir struck again. The freshman was in the right place at the right time, as fellow first-year Aria Evans-Roskos sent a shot off the left woodwork. The shot ricochet directly to Desir, the Montverde Academy product took one touch and buried her second goal of the match (2-0).
 
Notre Dame held a 2-0 lead into the second half as Charleston ramped up their offensively intensity. In the 64^th minute, senior Blake Allen came up in the clutch with a goal line clearance to keep UC off of the scoreboard.
 
The Golden Eagles outshot the Falcons nine to one during the second stanza, but Pasalaqua and the NDC defense answered the call by hanging on for a 2-0 victory on Mueller Field.
 
Pacing the Notre Dame College offense was the aforementioned Desir as she posted her first career multi-goal effort, along with a game-high and career-high four shots on goal.
 
In goal, Pasalaqua logged four saves and her MEC-leading fifth clean sheet of the season, as well as the 22^nd shutout of her career. The shutout gives her the second-most in NDC program history.  
 
As a team, Notre Dame continues to improve on their top three shot accuracy mark in the country. Entering today, NDC ranked third in NCAA Division II by registering .690 percent of their shots on goal this season. The Falcons improved upon their efficient mark with six of eight shots being on target (.750) today.
 
NDC added five saves and one corner kick, while UC posted 14 shots, nine corner kicks and four saves.
 
The Notre Dame College women's soccer team will be back in action on Wednesday Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. when West Virginia State University comes to town.