Published Monday, November 21, 2005 at 12:00 AM

No. 11 Notre Dame Topples No. 5 Simon Fraser In Overtime

by Alison Smalling, Embry-Riddle Assistant Director of Sports Information

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ; The 11th-seeded Notre Dame Falcons came from a goal down to upset No.5 Simon Fraser 2-1 on Friday at the 47th Annual NAIA Men;s Soccer National Championship hosted by Embry-Riddle University. The Falcons, in only their first national tournament appearance, recorded the second upset of the 2005 tournament.

Simon Fraser netted the first goal of the match in the 30th minute. After the Falcons sent a ball over the touch line, Justin Carver curled the resulting corner kick into the upper netting to give Simon Fraser a one-goal lead, which they clung to for the remainder of the first half.

The Clan;s halftime lead was short-lived as Notre Dame registered the equalizer just 16 seconds into the second half when Kevin McDowall headed home Chris Loughlin;s cross to make the score 1-1.

The goal inspired the Falcon offense, which edged the Clan 5-4 in shots on goal in the second period after not registering a shot on frame in the first half. Notre Dame;s success was helped by Chris Logan;s performance in goal, which included a pair of outstanding plays to keep the Clan off the scoreboard.

But neither team was able to find the back of the net, sending the match into overtime.

Once again the Falcons were quick on the trigger as Loughlin picked up his second assist on Vince Randazzo;s game-winning header just 1:36 in the overtime period.

The loss marked the conclusion of Simon Fraser;s 2005 campaign as the Clan finish with a 14-4-1 overall record.

Notre Dame (16-3-2) will face No. 3 Southern Nazarene in quarterfinal action at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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NAIA WOMEN'S SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS