This Week: The Notre Dame College women's soccer team will host a pair of Mountain East Conference foes with Wheeling on Wednesday Sept. 14 at 4 p.m., followed by Frostburg State on Sunday Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.
 
Records: NDC holds a record of 2-1-1 (1-0-1 MEC), whereas Wheeling is currently 0-4 (0-2 MEC). FSU sits at an undefeated 4-0 (2-0 MEC), as the Bobcats are yet to concede a goal this season.
 
Coaches Corner: Mike Shiels headlines the Notre Dame women's soccer program for his 20^th season at the helm. Shiels carries a 189-119-31 career record, to go along with three MEC Tournament championships and four MEC Coach of the Year honors. Emmanuel Awotula is in his first season with the Wheeling women's soccer program. Brian Parker is in his 21^st season with Frostburg State, holding a career record of 244-116-43.
 
Rankings: Frostburg State is currently receiving votes to be nationally ranked according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll 2.
 
Series History: NDC carries a 17-1 career record against Wheeling since their first matchup in 2013. The two sides claimed their respective home contests last season with WU winning 3-2 and NDC winning 1-0. When facing Frostburg State, Notre Dame is 2-2-2 all-time, dating back to their first meeting in 2019. Last season, a scoreless draw and a 1-0 NDC victory were the results.
 
Noting the Falcons: Notre Dame completed a thrilling 1-0-1 week with a draw at West Liberty and a win at Fairmont State. Against WLU, the Falcons trailed on two separate occasions, first after a 34^th minute goal. In the 43^rd minute, senior Blake Allen equalized the contest on her first career-goal on an assist by junior Kalie Blaising. In the 67^th minute, the Hilltoppers regained the lead 2-1. However, in the 81^st minute, freshman Emma Buda took the game into her own hands with an equalizing goal from the top of the box. Buda ensured the 2-2 draw for NDC, preserving the program's unbeaten 12-0-8 record all-time against WLU. On Sunday, Notre Dame was lifted by another freshman, in Maridza Desir. In the 53^rd minute, Desir scored her first career goal on a rocket from 40-yards out to give the Falcons a 1-0 victory over Fairmont State.
 
A balanced Notre Dame offense has been led by Buda's team-high two goals on the season, as Allen, Desir, Luckett and Marino have each tallied one. Buda is also the team's leader in points (4), shots (8) and shots on goal (7). In addition, Blaising and freshman Hannah Smith have generated the only two assists for NDC on the year.
 
In goal, NDC has utilized all three keepers this season with senior Jordan Pasalaqua leading the pack. The Madison, Ohio native tallied six saves on the week, while generating her second shutout of 2022 and 19^th of her career, moving her into a tie for third in NDC program history. On the year, the Madison High School product has 11 saves and two goals allowed on 24 shots faced, posting a goals against average of 0.67 (3^rd MEC) and a save percentage of 0.846 (3^rd MEC).
 
As a team, Notre Dame has six goals on 32 shots taken, including 24 shots on goal. The Falcons currently rank fourth in NCAA Division II in shot accuracy with 75% of their shots on target. In addition, NDC is averaging eight shots per game and totaling 19 saves and 18 corner kicks on the season.
 
Noting the Cardinals: Last week, Wheeling fell 2-1 to Fairmont State on Wednesday before a 5-0 loss to Frostburg State on Sunday. Against Fairmont State, Wheeling fell behind 2-0 in the first half and despite a 78^th minute goal by Talynn DeBartolo, the Cardinals fell 2-1. The FSU Falcons significantly outshot WU 25 (11) to 11 (8). In the second match of the week, Wheeling quickly fell behind after a goal in the fifth minute. The Bobcats would tack on a pair of goals before the half to lead 3-0, before eventually winning 5-0. Frostburg State outshot Wheeling, 24 (13) to 8 (2).
 
Wheeling is led offensively by graduate student Kenadee Burgoyne who led the team last season in goals (10), points (21), shots (55) and shots on goal (32). Moreover, Burgoyne ranked fifth in the MEC a year ago with 3.44 shots per game. This season, Burgoyne is one of three WU Cardinal's to tally a goal with DeBartolo and Braedynn Porter in 2022, however Burgoyne still paces the squad in points (3) and shots (14), while ranking fourth in the MEC in shots per game.
 
Mikayla Yarwood is the mainstay in between the pipes for Wheeling with 14 goals allowed to go with 35 saves, on 93 shots faced. Yarwood surrenders 3.76 goals per game and posts a 0.714 save percentage.
 
As a unit, Wheeling has netted three goals on 47 shots taken (11.8 shots per game), to go with four assists, 11 corner kicks and 36 team saves.
 
Noting the Bobcats: A week ago, Frostburg State continued their strong start to the 2022 campaign with a pair of shutout victories. In fact, the Bobcats are yet to surrender a goal this season through four matches. On Wednesday, FSU played Alderson Broaddus and outmatched the Battlers 3-0. Goals by Toni Fiocco-Mizer, Keely Knotts and Madison Allen in the 18^th, 69^th and 78^th minutes sealed the deal. The Bobcats offense was on another level, outshooting the Battlers 38 (15) to 4 (2) in the contest. Rounding out the week, FSU handled Wheeling by a score of 5-0. Beginning the scoring was Fiocco-Mizer once more, followed by Carolyn DeSena, Catherine Smith (twice) and Mackenzie Alonso. Again, Frostburg State outshot their opponent 24 (13) to 8 (2).
 
The Bobcats feature a potent offense with Fiocco-Mizer and Smith posting four goals a piece to lead the team. DeSana and Alonso are the other FSU players to tally multiple goals scored with two. Moreover. Fiocco-Mizer leads the team with 13 shots taken, seven on goal and three game-winners. Alonso (11) and Smith (10) are the other two Bobcats to generate double digit shots on the season. In addition, DeSana is also the team's leader in assists with four as she is the main facilitator up front. Stacking up against the MEC, Fiocco-Mizer and Smith are tied for second in goals scored, while Alonso is tied for second shots per game, as DeSana paces the conference in assists.
 
In goal, Frostburg State turns to Ashley Bilger who has contributed four shutouts this season. Bilger has faced 16 shots and saved nine, to post a 1.000 save percentage. Backup keeper, Katie Sterne has also seen time in net, facing seven shots and recording two saves without letting in a goal.
 
As a squad, Frostburg State has scored 15 goals on 100 shots taken (25 shots per game), to go with 10 assists, 27 corner kicks and 11 team saves. The Bobcats excel in both offense and defense nationally, as they are currently tied for first in NCAA DII with a .000 goals against average, while generating 25 shots a game.