SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team fell 3-0 at No. 12 Notre Dame on Monday night, suffering its first loss of the season.
 
The game was originally scheduled for Sunday evening but was postponed due to lightning and rescheduled for Monday.
 
The Broncos (2-1-0) started off strong earning a corner kick two minutes into the game but were unable to capitalize.  The Fighting Irish had a chance of their own just a couple minutes later but the shot hit side netting. 
 
Notre Dame began to maintain possession of the ball pushing the Broncos into their final third.  UND capitalized in the 19th minute after a cross deflected in off a WMU defender to give the Irish a 1-0 lead.  Junior Emma Kahn had the first shot on goal for the Broncos just one minute after the Notre Dame goal but the shot was saved by the Fighting Irish keeper.
 
The Irish increased their lead in the 38th minute as Karin Muya placed the ball past Bronco keeper Stephanie Heber, making the score 2-0.  In the 41st minute, Western had a chance to get on the board off a corner kick but the Notre Dame goalkeeper punched the ball out of the box and the Fighting Irish took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
 
Notre Dame began the second half the way it ended the first. Heber had two big saves for the Broncos as the first five minutes passed.   After a deflected cross in the 52nd minute, the Fighting Irish were on the board again increasing the lead, 3-0.   
 
The remainder of the second half, WMU built confidence and momentum while creating some good looks in the Notre Dame defensive end.  However, the Broncos were unable to slip the ball in the back of the net.   
 
"I was really happy with the way our girls performed in the second half," said head coach Lauren Sinacola.  "At half we talked about doing a better job of getting behind the defense, being more creative with our runs and battling harder for 50/50 balls.  A very talented Notre Dame earned the win tonight and we will build off the loss." 
 
Overall Western Michigan was outshot by Notre Dame 21-7 and was held to six corners during the night.  Heber was called to make five saves during the contest while junior Alex Ruffer had two shots on goal for the Broncos.      
 
Western Michigan will look to bounce back when they head to Oakland on Friday to face the Grizzlies at 7 p.m.  The game can be seen online on ESPN3.com.