Toledo - Notre Dame Academy has been scratching and clawing all season for their season-changing moment...key losses to Sylvania Northview, Rocky River Magnificat, Perrysburg and Clay (Oregon) made some people doubt their ability to get a big win - well on a sunny and breezy night Notre Dame's season changing moment came in the early minutes of the game. In the the 9th minute the Eagles were in transition when junior forward Dena Deeb broke through the Findlay back four and was pulled down on a clear goal-scoring opportunity - seconds later Deeb finished off a brilliantly placed indirect free kick from Emily Kozak giving the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. "We took advantage of what we had, and we did a very good job of getting the ball in behind and pressuring them (creating unforced errors)" said Deeb after scoring the lone goal in the match. "It's a big win for us and gives us the the right momentum going into our final games of the season". Findlay created some problems at times for the Eagles and right after Deeb's goal Findlay winger and senior Amanda Kovaleski broke through and put a quality shot on frame - testing the outstretched hands of junior NDA goalkeeper Ahalya Rai. In the second half - NDA looked to be the aggressors and test the Findlay goalkeeper junior Marissa Wintrow, Deeb's volley chance went wide off of a set-piece and sophomore Julia Spencer saw her lofted shot hit the top bar to almost increase their lead to two. NDA head coach Chip Smith was very pleased with the result and the effort the Eagles played with "We knew it would be a tight game and we have been harping these last couple of weeks just play hard, be intense and have a good attitude, this was a great win for us and played really hard and keeps us alive for a TRAC title - we have a lot of respect for Findlay and how they play and they are a very organized and play hard" said Smith, the Eagles (7-4-2) will finish with a very tough stretch but will play local rivals at home hosting Anthony Wayne and TRAC rival St. Ursula Academy and on the road with Cincinnati power Mt. Notre Dame. Findlay's head coach David LaRocco was impressed with their play but knows they can be better "We gotta go back to work and fix the mistakes (a couple unforced errors and one that led to their goal) - and we gotta get better in front of goal with our opportunities and finish them" said LaRocco. Findlay (6-3-3) will finish with Sylvania Southview, Maumee, a big tilt on Wednesday with Clay to keep them alive for a TRAC title, and finish with a make-up versus Lima Senior.
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