Corner kicks were hard to come by Saturday in the title match of the Horizon Tournament of Champions Invite (girls) pairing Hamilton and Notre Dame Prep.

In fact, not one was attempted in the first half and the first two Hamilton earned early in the second half were less than scintilatting  -- almost.

Hamilton's Marieke Ramsey powered home Hamilton's second goal on an essentially busted set piece in the 52nd minute and it proved to be the difference in a 2-1 triumph over Notre Dame Prep at Horizon High School.

Hamilton claimed the tournament title and has started the 2015-2016 season 4-0. Notre Dame (2-1-1), last year's Division II state champion, lost its first match since a playoff loss in February 2014 meaning a streak of 26 matches without a loss is over. Notre Dame is 2-1-1 on the season.

The match was a defense-dominated affair, particularly in the first half when most of the action took place between the 30s. Hamilton was able to tally in the 15th minute for a 1-0 lead after midfielder Bryce Miniefield's run along the left sideline and shot was deflected and eventually tapped in by sophomore forward Sammy Atterbury. Atterbury wasn't done on the offensive end as she garnered the assist on Ramsey's goal.

"We were rushing the net, but it wasn't very effective," Hamilton coach Nathan Fairchild said. "Sammy ended up with it and alertly kicked it back out to Marieke. It was a great goal."
  
Ramsey, who takes the majority of Hamilton's corners, sent her first one in tight, but it was snared without resistance from Hamilton players packing the net area. The second just a minute or two later, was sent higher in the box but again wasn't able to elicit a shot. Atterbury, instead, gained control and kicked it back to Ramsey who had settled on an angle about 18 yards right of the goal. Ramsey had a clear shot and launched it perfectly top shelf.

Ramsey's goal appeared to be an insurance tally at the time it was scored, but proved huge as Notre Dame managed to score in the 78th minute. Notre Dame sophomore Lindsay Shipley began a run just inside midifled and managed to dribble past the last defender. Her shot was slightly deflected by Hamilton keeper Ashton Huppert, but had enough left to trickle into the net.

"These are two teams well coached and organized so it's not surprsing not a lot of chances were out there," Fairchild said. "We have two center backs returning that played every game last year. That's where our experience is. We're young in other areas, but I thought we played well to start (season) off."