Notre Dame freshmen Sophie Olenchek and Emma Higgins connected for the only goal in the District 7A/AA girls soccer championship Thursday night at CCS.
Higgins served a nice cross to Olenchek who crashed the fair post and was able to finish it midway through the first half.
CCS was unable to find the equalizer despite a lot of pressure on the Lady Irish in the second half. CCS final chance came off a free kick just outside of the 18 by Allie Sullivan as time ran off the clock.
Sullivan's hard shot was saved by Notre Dame keeper Natalie Graham but bounced off the left post but CCS was unable to get to the second shot before Graham jumped on the ball as the final whistle blew.
The win gives Notre Dame a 7A/AA District Championship and a home game next Tuesday in Region 4A/AA semifinals. CCS will travel to the District 8A/AA champion on Tuesday which is typically a 2-3 hour trip north.
Notre Dame head coach Jim Schermerhorn knew this would be a battle but was glad to get the win.
"Yes, we love to win here," Schermerhorn said. "It was just a good win. CCS is a very good team and this is usually a 1-0 game or it goes to penalty kicks. CCS really played strong the first 20 minutes of the second half and we were on our heals. We defended well but couldn't keep possession of the ball."
Notre Dame keeper Natalie Graham was credited with six saves on nine shots by CCS.
CCS keeper Ellen Stone had eight saves on 11 shots by the Lady Irish.
CCS head coach Cal Sneller was pleased with his team especially in the second half.
"We had some good chances, some good opportunities," Sneller said. "It's hard for these girls. I thought the girls played the way they had to play. We had the build up but just couldn't finish."
Both teams will need wins on Tuesday to advance to the region finals which could pit the two teams against each other for a third time in the region championship game.