" STORRS, Conn. - The Notre Dame women's soccer team won its 11^th BIG EAST Championship, and second straight, with a 2-1 victory over Marquette on Sunday afternoon at a sun-splashed Morrone Stadium on the campus of the University of Connecticut. Notre Dame senior Amanda Clark registered her first career postseason points scoring a goal with 19:47 left in regulation. With the win the Irish (17-3-1) earn the league's automatic berth into the 64-team NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. Marquette (15-5-2) will await word on an at-large berth in the field which will be announced at approximately 8 p.m. ET on ESPNews.

Junior Lauren Fowlkes got the Irish on the board 12:08 into the contest with her 10^th goal of the season. She received a pass from sophomore Melissa Henderson and guided a shot from eight-yards out into the bottom right corner of the net. It was the first goal allowed by Marquette sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Kulla in eight games and just the 11^th score she has allowed this year.

Fowlkes put home a cross from junior Erica Iantorno, who tallied her first assist of the season on the play. Fowlkes scored in all three games of the championship and was later named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Performer.

Marquette answered with a score 10 minutes later as sophomore Rachael Sloan tallied the equalizer with 22:48 left in the first half. Junior Julia Victor picked up an assist on the play. It was just the second goal scored against Notre Dame in the last six games.

Notre Dame had a pair of excellent chances to score with five minutes left in the first half, but was stymied by a pair of shots that hit the post. The teams went into the half tied 1-1.

Marquette had an excellent opportunity five minutes into the second half as sophomore Kerry McBride headed a shot just over the net.

Notre Dame junior Rose Augustin was injured midway through the first half and did not return. Senior Haley Ford entered the game making her first appearance since Oct. 4.

Kulla finished the game with five saves while Irish counterpart Nikki Weiss made six saves. The Golden Eagles held a 5-1 edge on corner kicks and a 21-14 advantage on shots.

Most Outstanding Offensive Performer

Lauren Fowlkes, Notre Dame

Most Outstanding Defensive Performer

Jessica Schuveiller, Notre Dame

All-Tournament Team

Bri Rodriguez, West Virginia

Nicole Doran, St. John's

Nicole Pasciolla, St. John's

Becky Ryan, Marquette

Rachael Sloan, Marquette

Rosie Malone-Povolny, Marquette

Amanda Clark, Notre Dame

Courtney Barg, Notre Dame

Jessica Schuveiller, Notre Dame

Lauren Fowlkes, Notre Dame

Nikki Weiss, Notre Dame

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