GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- The Notre Dame men's soccer team earned its third win of the 2011 season with a, 2-0, victory over Union (Ky.) on Friday night (Sept. 9) at the GC Soccer Complex in the opening match of the Georgetown Classic.

Junior forward Christian Earnest (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls) tallied the game's opening goal -- his first of the season -- in the 23rd minute, while sophomore goalkeeper Jan Skorupinski (Vogt, Germany/Vogt) registered three saves and earned the clean sheet.

While the Falcons dominated play, Notre Dame came close on several chances, tallying three shots on goal in the process. The Blue & White broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, when sophomore midfielder Tom Owens (Liverpool, England/Halewood) sent a ball into the box that found Earnest's head.

The second half continued with the Falcons onslaught against the Bulldogs goal. Through the opening 45 minutes the Blue & White held 10-6 advantage.

That barrage of shots and continued attacks would see the Falcons hit pay dirt for the second time in the 51st minute when Earnest found his new running mate, freshman forward Martin Lange (Berlin, Germany/Werner Seegenbinder Schule). The first year Germany took a touch and buried his strike from the top of the penalty area for a, 2-0, lead.

"To play in excess of 75minutes without a single senior player on the pitch and still get the result bodes well for our future. But, we can't kid ourselves, we rode our luck at times today and squandered a number of golden opportunities," commented Coach Mac. 

Georgetown host Notre Dame Saturday (Sept. 10) at 5 p.m. at the GC Soccer Complex to close out the Georgetown Classic. 


NOTES FROM THE NEST….

IN EARNEST: Christian Earnest made 23 appearances, starting 18 matches in 2010. A year ago he scored seven goals including a team's second best four game winners. In 2009 Earnest scored the team's third goal Dec. 1, in a, 3-1, against Benedictine in the NAIA Quarter Finals.

KNIGHT OF THE TABLE: Daniel Knight earned his 68th career start in Notre Dame's, 2-0, win over Union (Tenn.). The start moved the senior skipper into ninth all-time in program history. Knight made his first appearance and start, Aug. 29, 2008, in the Falcons, 2-1, win over Hastings (Neb.).

FOUR NO SKOR: Jan Skorupinski notched his third career win and third career clean sheet in today's 2-0 win. The Vogt, Germany, native now ranks fifth in program history for shutouts (4), passing Shaun Able (2001).

FRESHMAN FIRST: Freshman forward Martin Lange made his first career appearance. Lange recorded his first collegiate point and assist in NDC's, 2-0, win over Union (Ky.).

STREAKING FALCONS: Notre Dame has now scored in 65 consecutive games since being held scoreless on Sept. 12, 2008. During that stretch the Blue & White have won 87.7 percent (57-7-2) of their games. Over those 66 games Notre Dame has netted 252 goals while keeping their opponents scoreless in 28 matches.

FIRST TIME SHOTS: Union (Ky.), marked the third of nine first time opponents for the Falcons in 2011. All-time the Blue & White are 48-21-5 in said games, including winning 10 straight.