A valiant first half gave way to a beguiling second, as four second half goals by the visiting Notre Dame College Falcons ruined the JCU men's soccer home opener Tuesday evening at Don Shula Stadium.

Box Score

The Blue Streaks played host to Notre Dame, who had outscored its opponents in the four games of 2010 by a 16-0 count. After coming off an emotional victory last week against Denison, the Blue Streaks were hoping to stay on a roll and score an upset.. 

The first half produced much action but little in the form of scoring. Blue Streak goaltender Matt DeMarchi made six saves to hold Notre Dame to only their second scoreless period of the season. The shots at the end of the first half stood at 11-3 in favor of the Falcons. 

Notre Dame came out of the break with a surge that defined their previous four outings. DeMarchi was able to make several more astounding saves before Falcon sophomore Christian Earnest took a pass from Carlo Manna and tucked it just inside the post to the right of the Blue Streak goaltender in the 56th minute. 

Hopes fell in the 67th minute when Earnest made a spectacular individual effort in the John Carroll end. While being guarded by defenseman Jerry Rubino , the sophomore Falcon made a turn to his right and swung a left footed kick to the far side of the goal behind DeMarchi. 

The Falcons would add two more goals, one of which came by virtue of a penalty kick off the toe of Luke Holmes who has now scored in all of Notre Dame's five contests. 

The effort was not one John Carroll head coach Hector Marinaro would want to see replicated anytime soon. 

“We were outclassed, outcoached, and outhustled," said Marinaro. "It was a good old fashioned whoopin'.”