BULLDOGS CONTINUE TO ROLL

Is this truly a rebuilding year?

A few weeks ago, coach Brad Wittenborn said last year's 19-7 record "would be a lofty goal" for this year's edition of the Bulldogs. Notre Dame lost eight starters to graduation and have only one senior.

But the Bulldogs have quickly moved from underdog to favorite, and last season's record is looking more and more attainable: Notre Dame improved to 5-1 Saturday afternoon with a dominating 3-0 win against physical Paducah Tilghman.

Notre Dame's only loss this season came against Carbondale in the semifinals of the Bulldogs' Soccerfest.

"We're pretty excited to be 5-1," said Wittenborn.

Notre Dame controlled play in the first half, but neither team scored. The Bulldogs then connected three times in the second half, twice in the last two minutes.

"I thought we played about as well as we've played," Wittenborn said.

Zach Miller, who scored two long goals Tuesday in the Bulldogs' 2-1 win over Cape Girardeau Central, rocketed another deep goal against Tighlman on an indirect kick in the 46th minute.

Tilghman coach Mark Spivey said his team became fatigued late in the match; Notre Dame capitalized with a couple insurance scores.

In the 79th minute, Adam Obermiller took a pass from Tommy Wencewicz and got out in front and scored.

A minute later, the two reversed roles: Wencewicz received a pass from Obermiller, sped up field and connected.

"At the end of the game we got some goals where maybe we were a little fresher than them," Wittenborn said. "The two late goals were just hustle goals."

Said Spivey: "(Notre Dame) played so well they made us play poorly. That's all there was to it. We didn't shoot the ball, we didn't go to the ball. It was not one of our better performances."

Michael Gosche and Colin Vandergraf combined for the shutout. Gosche played in goal in the first half and Vandergraf took over after the half.

"The goalie play was much improved today over what it was Thursday against Sikeston," said Wittenborn, whose team beat the Bulldogs 8-2.

* Notre Dame's JV remained unbeaten with a 1-1 tie against Tilghman. Matt Bollinger scored in the first half to put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0, but Tighlman scored about three minutes later to knot things before the half.

The Bulldogs' JV record stands at 2-0-1.