This Week: The Notre Dame College women's soccer team kicks-off their 2023 campaign on the road Thursday Aug. 31 beginning at 6 p.m. against Edinboro University. Next, the Falcons welcome Tiffin University to Mueller Field for NDC's home-opener on Sunday Sept. 3 beginning at 1 p.m.
 
Records: This week marks the start of the 2023 season for each, thus beginning at 0-0. Last year, NDC went 7-8-4 (6-6-4 MEC), while EU sat at 2-9-7 and TU concluded with a record of 8-8-2.
 
Coaches Corner: Mike Shiels headlines the Notre Dame women's soccer program for his 21^st season at the helm. Shiels carries a 194-126-34 career record, to go along with three MEC Tournament championships and four MEC Coach of the Year honors. Gary Kagiavas remains at the helm of Edinboro for his 24^th season, maintaining a career mark of 242-102-47. Michael Cracas begins his third season with Tiffin University with a career record of 13-19-3.
 
Rankings: None of these teams are ranked nationally according to the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll.
 
Series History: Notre Dame is 2-5 all-time when facing Edinboro, dating back to their first meeting in 2012 and including the Falcons 2-0 victory last season. NDC is 1-2 all-time against Tiffin, dating back to their first meeting in 2011 and including the Dragons 4-1 win a year ago.
 
Noting the Falcons: Last season, the Falcons continued their run of making the MEC Tournament every year since joining the conference in 2013. NDC generated a three-match unbeaten streak to close out the regular season to earn the berth into the postseason. Notre Dame's run was highlighted by victories over Glenville State and Alderson Broaddus, 7-0 and 5-1, respectively.
 
Notre Dame returns their top five goal scorers from a year ago, led by senior Madison Marino who netted a team-high seven goals. The Stow-Munroe Falls, Ohio native paced the team in goals, assists (2), points (16), shots (30) and game-winning goals (2) last season. She is joined by junior Louisa Follert (5), sophomore Maridza Desir (5), senior Kalie Blaising (4) and sophomore Emma Buda (2) as Falcons to score multiple goals last season.
 
On the other side, senior Jordan Pasalaqua is back in net for the Falcons following 89 saves and seven shutouts in 2022. The Madison High School product has been a staple to the NDC defense for several years as her name is littered across the NDC career record book. Pasalaqua ranks second in shutouts (24), third in saves (257) and saves per game (4.21), fourth in wins (27), fifth in save percentage (.824) and goals against average (0.89) and ninth in minutes played (5,580).
 
In addition, Pasalaqua is one of two returning Falcons to garner All-MEC honors from a year ago, as the keeper was tabbed with Honorable Mention All-MEC, alongside sophomore Hannah Smith who claimed Second Team All-MEC and spot on the MEC All-Freshman Team.
 
To go with a veteran squad, head coach Mike Shiels adds newcomers; Hailee Smith, Sophie Motolese, Olivia Motolese, Ashley Rainho, Abbey Balentine, Savannah Singh, Marissa Tiber, Maria Komala, Lea Bjorkhagen, Delaney David, Rhyan Reittinger, Carissa Sullinger, Jada Diaz and Mia Maruna to help lead the charge.
 
Amongst the Mountain East Conference last season, Notre Dame ranked, eighth in shots per game (10.6), eighth in goals per game (1.53), eighth in assists per game (0.79), fourth in goals allowed per game (1.05), sixth in saves per game (4.68) and fourth in save percentage (0.817).
 
Noting the Fighting Scots: Last season, Edinboro rounded out the regular season on a five-match winless streak, last reigning victorious against D'Youville College 2-0 on Oct. 15.
 
The Fighting Scots struggled to put the ball in the net, despite touting a solid defensive line. EU scored 12 goals (0.67 per game) on 177 shots, including 86 shots on goal. Edinboro allowed just 26 goals (1.44 per game) on the year, resulting in seven ties, the most in their program's history.
 
Edinboro will be able to build off last season as they return their top four goal scorers from 2022, all of which are upperclassmen. Senior Megan Maltis and junior Reece Enochs scored three goals apiece to lead the team, followed by seniors Lexi Boyk and Maggie Hays who netted two each.
 
In addition, Edinboro welcomes back starting goalkeeper Kaylee Lauriel who registered 79 saves on 206 shots faced. She surrendered 26 goals, recorded four shutouts and posted a .752 save percentage in 18 games.
 
Noting the Dragons: Last year, Tiffin rattled off three-straight wins to close out the regular season over Malone, Ursuline and Northwood to finish .500 on the season. Despite the late winning streak, the Dragons finished in seventh place in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, missing out on the GMAC Tournament.
 
Tiffin will be tasked with replacing the engine to their offense with the absence of senior Kristen Dickison who ranked top five in the country with 19 goals on 63 shots, including 38 shots on goal. The Dragons will lean heavily on senior Kaelynn Harkness who is the team's second leading scorer from a year ago, tallying three goals on 25 shots, including eight shots on goal. Tiffin boasted 14 different goal scorers in 2022, a strategy they can utilize in 2023 with Dickison's departure.
 
In between the pipes, junior Malea Nelson brings 16 career games and 15 starts to the table in 2023. Last season, Nelson played in seven matches, including six starts, en route to 39 saves, 14 goals allowed and one shutout. The junior owned a .736 save percentage, allowing 2.22 goals per game.
 
As a unit, Tiffin scored 37 goals  (2.06 per game) on 217 shots (12.06 per game), including 113 shots on goal (6.28 per game), with 23 assists (1.28 per game) and 48 corner kicks (2.67 per game).