SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The offense continues to roll as the Notre Dame College women's soccer team (2-2-2, 2-2 MEC) downed Wheeling University on Wednesday afternoon 2-1. NDC has registered at least 18 shots for the third match in a row, en route to back-to-back victories for head coach Mike Shiels and the Falcons.
 
"I think we have found a good balance between taking chances and valuing possession," stated Shiels postgame. "As our decision making has improved we have been able to consistently generate pressure in the attacking third which has allowed our more creative attacking players to shine."
 
The opportunities started immediately as senior Kalie Blaising tallied a shot on goal less than a minute into the contest, requiring WU keeper Olivia Kqira to make the save.
 
The Falcons continued to pile shots on target as Ashley Rainho and Mia Maruna tested the Cardinal keeper in the third and sixth minutes.
 
Notre Dame carved up the Wheeling defense during the 19^th minute, as Olivia Motolese generated a give-and-go goal with teammate and sister Sophia Motolese. The Motolese sisters weaved through the Cardinal backline with Sophia dishing Olivia her first goal of the year (1-0).
 
Wheeling ramped up the pressure in response, with shots on goal in the 22^nd, 23^rd and 30^th minutes, but the sure-handed senior Jordan Pasalaqua made the saves to ensure a 1-0 halftime lead.
 
The Falcons kicked off the second stanza with a flurry of chances, including a penalty kick which hit the crossbar in the 52^nd minute.
 
Despite coming up empty handed, NDC continued to create opportunities, including a perfectly executed counterattack in the 80^th minute. Sophomore Abby Piks regained possession for Notre Dame in the defensive third, before a touch pass went to fellow sophomore Savannah Singh, who dribble up the field and placed a quality through ball to the boot of junior Miriam Szijarto, who finished around the right of the keeper to double the Falcon advantage (2-0).
 
Wheeling responded in the 85^th minute after a corner kick bounced around in the box with Nyah Smith getting on the end of it (2-1).
 
Pasalaqua gathered the win with an 88^th minute save, allowing NDC to stay undefeated on Mueller Field this season.
 
Blaising led the pack with a game-high and career-high six shots, including three shots on goal. Rainho followed suit with four shots and two on goal.
 
Piks and Singh produced their first assists of the season and first assists as NDC Falcons, while S. Motolese now leads Notre Dame with a pair of dimes. The trio set up O. Motolese and Szijarto for their first and third goals of the year.
 
In comparing the two sides, Notre Dame outshot Wheeling 18-14, including 9-7 in shots on goal. WU added seven saves to NDC' six, as both sides enjoyed four corner kicks.
 
The Notre Dame College women's soccer team will be back in action on Sunday Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. when the Falcons travel to Salem University for a non-conference bout with the Tigers.