SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – For the third consecutive game, No. 6 Notre Dame College does not allow a goal in their 2-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan College on Wednesday.

The Falcons (3-0, 1-0 MEC) have not allowed a goal in the first 270 minutes of play to begin the season. Against WVWC (0-1-2, 0-1 MEC), however, they had to work very hard to put a point on the scoreboard. Both teams had just one shot-on-goal going into the halftime break.

Corner kicks would eventually be a big story in the game, but in the 11th minute, redshirt-junior Arthur Favero had a corner kick that entered the box. Junior Paolo Termine headed the ball, but it was saved by Sahlil Dhunnookchand.

In the second half, the Bobcats' Kazuma Takagi had a header attempt in the 59th minute, but it was saved by junior Daniele De Angeles. Less than 10 minutes later, the Falcons closest opportunity, at the time, came when Favero took a shot outside the box that wrapped around and skimmed the top post.

NDC broke through in the 74th minute when senior Joao Pedro Ribas de Oliveira scored his first goal of the season. Senior Sam Vail had worked the ball close to the goal, but slid with a defender and passed the ball to Ribas who took a shot that hooked toward goal. It sped past the outstretched hand of Dhunnookchand and into the goal.

After eight corner kicks, the Falcons converted on their ninth in the 82nd minute when Favero booted the ball in front of the goal and junior Lewis Norvock headed the ball into the net, to give Notre Dame a 2-0 lead.

For NDC, Ribas' goal was his first since September 10 of last season. Favero and Vail were each credited with an assist, the first of the season for both of them. Notre Dame took six shots in the second half, with four of them being shots-on-goal. On the defensive end, De Angelis made three saves. This is the first time since 2010 that the Falcons have started the season with three consecutive shutouts.

The Bobcats took six shots and three shots-on-goal. Dhunnookchand also stopped three shots from going into the net.

When speaking about the recent national poll, which ranked the Falcons sixth in NCAA Division II, head coach Carl Nolan said the ranking is nice, but it isn't that important yet. "We have a lot of work to do."

Although the Falcons know they have a long season ahead, Nolan is very impressed with his team right now.

"The heat over this period of three games has been something that I have not seen before. Three category five heat warnings for the three games has put the players in an incredibly difficult position. Somehow, they have managed to work through this and create three wins," Nolan exclaimed. "West Virginia Wesleyan is a program that carries a huge tradition. Anytime you play them, they offer great organization and are tough to break down. They are well coached and it's a real achievement to beat them. We are really proud of the players."

Notre Dame will play their first road game of the season as they travel to take on West Liberty University on September 9. The game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.