CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Notre Dame College went on the road to take on the University of Charleston, the top ranked team in NCAA Division II, and fell 3-0, allowing the three goals in the first half.

All of the Falcons (4-3, 2-2 MEC) losses this season have come against nationally ranked opponents (#20 Mercyhurst, #22 West Virginia Wesleyan, #1 Charleston). The Golden Eagles (7-0, 4-0) have shutout five of their seven opponents this season and have only allowed two goals in 2017.

"Today was a benchmark game for us, to see where we are at," head coach Carl Nolan said. "The answer is that we have a ways to go with regards to where our goals are at."

NDC was the first to get a good look at the goal when freshman midfielder Jan Walker had a good chance and took a shot that was saved by Charleston goalkeeper Paulo Pita in the second minute of the game. However, they would struggle offensively the rest of the way.

UC did not take their first shot until the 12th minute. Their second shot on goal resulted in a goal as Thomas Vancaeyezeele headed the ball past Notre Dame's sophomore goalkeeper Daniele De Angelis, 14:18 into the first half. The goal followed a corner kick from Armando Tikvic.

Not much time was wasted as Charleston scored their second goal in the 18th minute when Will Roberts put the ball in the back of the net on a penalty kick.

Before the halftime break, the Golden Eagles put another goal on the scoreboard, as Ettore Ballestracci scored his third goal of the campaign in the 44th minute of the contest.
Neither team scored in the second half but they traded shots in the 54th minute. Notre Dame's junior Reece Daly had a shot on goal.

The Falcons were very strong in the second half and that impressed Nolan.

"In the second half, we changed our shape and offered a more rigid opposition," he said. "I was pleased with our second 45 minutes and our response to halftime."

Daly and Walker are the only two players who took a shot for Notre Dame. De Angelis made four saves.

The Golden Eagles had nine different players who took a shot. Patrick Guier, David Achaerandio and Roberts took two shots. Ballestracci took three shots. As a team, Charleston took 14 shots and seven shots on goal.

"Charleston is a very gifted team that took advantage of some breakdowns in focus and also a questionable second goal," Nolan mentioned. "Some players on the periphery really caught my eye and made a case to play more. We will learn and move forward again."

The Falcons will come back home and play Urbana University, next Wednesday, on September 27. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. on Mueller Field.