The top-seeded Falcons (18-2-0), who went 11-0 in conference play during the regular season to win the AMC title, got on the scoreboard in the 24th minute when Luke Holmes took a pass from George Kephart and scored to give Notre Dame a 1-0 lead.

The score remained that way until midway through the second half when the Falcons’ lead increased to 2-0 when an MVNU (15-3-2) defender accidentally scored an own goal while trying to clear a cross in the 71st minute.

That goal would prove to be a big goal as five minutes later senior forward Adam Worrall (left) chipped a shot over Craig Pickering, the Falcons’ goalkeeper, to pull the No. 2 seed Cougars within 2-1 with just over 14 minutes remaining in the match. The goal was Worrall’s team-leading 20th of the season and the 42nd of his career.

MVNU continued to push forward to try to equalize and actually had both of its corner kicks in the final 14 minutes. However, Notre Dame was able to withstand each attack as the Falcons held on to post the 2-1 victory.

The Falcons finished with a 14-10 lead in total shots and a 5-3 edge in shots on goal, while the Cougars held a 2-1 margin in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Alex Stout posted three saves for MVNU, while Pickering stopped two shots for Notre Dame.

“Despite playing in some unbelievably poor weather conditions with rain, snow, and ice, we really played considerably well and as good as could be expected under such terrible weather conditions,” said MVNU coach Paul Furey. “We showed a lot of character coming back from a two-goal deficit and we really wanted to win it. We came really close to equalizing after Adam brought us back within a goal.”

“Their first goal was a great strike by their leading scorer, but we really limited their chances,” said Furey. “Their second goal was an own goal and even that was questionable as to whether the ball got over the line or not. Nonetheless, it was a match where we gave everything we had and it prepares us well for our all-important match next week when we play in the first round of the national tournament. I think our mindset is very good and our guys are focused on one of the biggest matches in our program’s history next Saturday.”

Despite the loss, MVNU will still advance to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round on November 22 as the second AMC team. The Cougars, who were ranked No. 22 in the latest NAIA poll, will find out who their opponent will be on Sunday. The final NAIA poll will be released by 2:00 p.m. with the 15 NAIA National Tournament Opening Round matches being announced by 8:00 p.m. MVNU has put in a bid to host one of these matches, so it is possible that the Cougars could play at home. Details will be released as soon as they become available.