The visiting Falcons (2-1-0, 1-0-0 AMC), who received votes in the latest NAIA poll, snapped a scoreless tie in the 28th minute when Anic McKay gathered a loose ball just outside the box and lobbed a shot into the back of the empty net as MVNU sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen retreated after coming off the line to try to pick up the loose ball. Notre Dame would proceed to take the 1-0 lead to the locker room at the half as the Lady Cougars’ only shot on goal of the first half by senior defender Kelly Sgambellone (left) was stopped.

Five minutes into the second half, the Falcons tacked on an insurance goal when an MVNU defender committed a foul in the box resulting in a penalty kick opportunity. Nikki Tizzano stepped up and fired a shot to her left that just eluded the diving attempt of Loewen as Notre Dame’s lead grew to 2-0.

The Lady Cougars (1-4-0, 0-1-0 AMC) kept the pressure on and had several good scoring opportunities in the second half, but MVNU was unable to find the back of the net for the fourth time in five matches in the young season as the Falcons posted the 2-0 victory.

Total shots were knotted at 11-11 for the match, but Notre Dame held an 8-2 edge in shots on goal and a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks. Loewen stopped six shots for the Lady Cougars, while Emilie LaMarche, the reigning AMC Defensive Player of the Week, posted two saves to record the shutout for the Falcons.

“I am still convinced that this team has a bright future ahead this season,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade, who also mentioned the fact that the 2006 squad started 1-4-0 and went on to win a share of the AMC South title and that last year’s team lost its conference opener before grabbing a share of the conference title. “Today’s outcome was not from a lack of playing hard. I felt like our team was competing and did some nice things. We just lack confidence on the offensive side of the ball and we are doing a few little things on defense that are allowing goals to be scored which is magnifying our lack of offense. We need to come out tomorrow, turn the page, and give it our all again.”

The Lady Cougars will square off against Judson (Ill.) University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the final match of the two-day Cougar Classic Invitational. The Eagles (1-3-0) dropped a 2-0 decision to Spring Arbor (Mich.) University (4-3-0) in Friday’s other match as Heidi Sharp and Taylor George each scored a goal for the Lady Cougars with Jamie Siedzik and Megan Cogan adding assists.  (BOXSCORE)  Spring Arbor will take on Notre Dame at 1:00 p.m. in Saturday’s other action.