BALTIMORE – The 5th seeded Notre Dame of Maryland University's soccer team gave 4th seeded Cairn 90 minutes of hard-fought playoffs action before a 2-0 defeat on Monday night. The Gators defense was stout all evening led by freshman goalkeeper Jamie Norris' nine save performance. Norris and the defense came away with crucial saves and stops along the way. The Highlanders would score two late goals to advance to the conference semifinals. 


HOW IT HAPPENED

• Norris was put to the test by the Highlanders early on in the half. He saw nine shots and made three saves 25 minutes into the game. 
• Norris would face another round of challenges from the Highlanders but the keeper would send the Highlanders away making another round of saves.
• Later in the first half, Norris would weather the storm. He added four more saves to close out the first. Norris saw 18 shots in the first half and kept the game scoreless, making eight saves to keep the Gators within striking distance. 
• Right out the gate in the second, the Highlanders regained possession and went on the attack searching for a goal to break the game open. Norris and the Gators defense held strong but gave up a goal at the 60-minute mark.
• Cairn scored with 76:25 left to play to put the game away.

OF NOTE

• In year one under head coach Michele Rodriguez-Smith, Notre Dame made its second straight CSAC playoff appearance despite missing out on the 2020 season due to the Covid outbreak. The Gators last made the conference championships in 2019.
• Notre Dame (Md.) ended the regular season 5-9 overall. Junior midfielder Sara Morales and sophomore forward Amma Alascia were named to the 2021  All-Conference Teams announced by the league on Monday. Morales and Alascia were both selected as All-CSAC Honorable Mentions. 
• Morales was awarded the CSAC All-Sportsmanship honor for the second time. She last won the award in 2019.