SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame College won a tough battle with Urbana University, using a second half goal by Leonardo Paiva to secure a victory, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Falcons (5-3, 3-2 MEC) remain unbeaten at home in 2017 and have won all three games by a score of 1-0. NDC advances to 12-5-1 all-time against Urbana. The Blue Knights (4-4, 3-2) have lost two of their last three games and fall to 1-4 on the road following Wednesday's loss.

In the first half, chances to score were very hard to come by as both teams played a tight back-and-forth half. Sophomore Lewis Norvock had a goal scoring opportunity for NDC near the 12th minute that was saved by goal keeper Daniel McNicholas. Antoine Ravera had the best chance for Urbana in the 21st minute as he headed the ball near the goal that was grabbed by sophomore Daniele De Angelis.

Notre Dame took six shots in the first half and Urbana took two shots.

"In the first half, Urbana brought a lot of energy and competitiveness," head coach Carl Nolan said. "These games are historically close and, usually, small details decide them."

In the second half, UU was much more aggressive, taking two shots in the first 10 minutes following halftime.

Notre Dame got the ball down close enough to strike in the 71st minute and senior Leonardo Paiva came through with his sixth goal of the season, assisted by sophomore Guilherme Gloria Albuquerque.

"Leo Paiva's goal was great to see as it involved all three forwards," said Nolan. "Sam Morgan challenged well in the air and Gui [Albuquerque] saw Leo's run brilliantly. Leo did what he does, which is score big goals."

The Blue Knights did not go down quietly nearly scoring twice with a shot on goal by Thibaut Bourrier in the 84th minute and then had a ball that hit the post of the foot of Zachary Poff in 90th minute.

"The second half was simply a case of taking one or two of our chances," Nolan mentioned. "We took one of them and then defended their set pieces relatively well."

For Notre Dame, De Angelis made three saves while his counterpart McNicholas made five saves for the Blue Knights.

The Falcons will travel to Shepherdstown, W.Va. to take on Shepherd University on September 30. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.