Oct. 29, 2008

Story courtesy of Notre Dame Sports Information Office

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Notre Dame (14-2, 9-0 AMC), ranked No. 11 in last week’s (Oct. 11) NAIA Coaches’ Poll, earned their 2-1 win over the Red Storm with a pair of improbable goals. 

 After trailing, 1-0, for much of the match, NDC got a late goal (86th minute) from senior captain Andrew Carr (Preston, England) and then an overtime score from sophomore forward Steven Kane (Jeromesville, Ohio).  Kane’s goal came in the 99th minute of play.

“That was an emotional match and an emotional conclusion,” said Notre Dame head coach Michael “Mac” McBride, whose Falcons beat the Red Storm for the first time in seven all-time matches.  “The game had a bit of everything.  Rio is a technically superb team, definitely the best we’ve played all season.  Both teams gave it everything they had – it was a match befitting a championship.”

Winning the league (NDC’s won-loss point total cannot be matched by any contenders over the final week of the season, the week of Oct. 27) brings a special prize along with it – the Falcons are now headed to their second National Championship tournament.  The Falcons competed in the 2005 tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight.

The victory Saturday is Notre Dame’s third this season over a ranked foe, and it also figures to be one that vaults the program into the Top-10 in next week’s NAIA Coaches’ Poll.  In its history, NDC has never been ranked higher than their current No. 11 post.