SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – On Wednesday afternoon, Notre Dame College and West Virginia Wesleyan College finished overtime locked in a scoreless draw. But the Falcons were able to atone for last season's result as they won the penalty kick battle, 5-4, over the Bobcats in the MEC Semifinals. With the win, NDC advances to the MEC Tournament Championship game for the first time since 2015.

On a 25-degree day on Mueller Field, Notre Dame and W.Va. Wesleyan started slow, putting up just five combined shots in the first half. Two of the Falcons' four shots were on goal as junior Varis Singh Khera took a shot that was saved by Wesleyan goalkeeper Jeremy Collins in the 4th minute. Then, a header by senior Lewis Norvock, which following a corner, was also saved.

Both teams had opportunities in the second half, as NDC outshot WVWC, 9-7, in the final 45 minutes. In the first 10 minutes of the second stanza, the teams combined for five shots, but none were on goal.

Between the 58th minute and the 60th minute, senior Arthur Favero took two shots on goal. He would end up taking five shots in the second half and finish with six in the game.

Near the end of the half, West Virginia Wesleyan was threatening in front of Notre Dame's goal with two minutes remaining. They had one shot that went wide, which was sandwiched by two corner kicks, over a 40-second span.

Notre Dame nearly won the game in the 104th minute when a foul was called on the Bobcats just outside of the box, on the left side of the goal. Favero set up for the free kick and launched a shot toward Collins, who knocked the ball away. With the ball still up in the air, Norvock tried another header that was also saved.

Last season, Notre Dame went to penalty kicks against Wheeling University, after ending their MEC Semifinal game in a scoreless tie. The Cardinals beat the Falcons to deny NDC from moving forward.

This season the penalty kicks, again, provided a lot of excitement, and resulted in celebration for NDC.

Luca Falconieri, who had six goals on the season for Wesleyan, took the first penalty kick but was denied by NDC goalkeeper Daniele De Angelis, who dove to his right. Sophomore Arthur Moraes converted on his attempt to put NDC up 1-0. However, the Bobcats would make their next four as NDC made just three of four. It came down to Carlos Sanchez Mora, but De Angelis picked the right direction to dive and saved the day. Senior David Torralba finished things off with a strong attempt that flew past a diving Collins.

For head coach Carl Nolan, this is his first win in the MEC Tournament since taking over the program in 2016.

"It was great to finally get the win," Nolan exclaimed. "I thought we played well enough to win the game in 90 minutes but the opposition's goalkeeper had a great game. [W.Va. Wesleyan] Coach Gavin Donaldson coaches his teams very well and they are always a difficult opponent."

Jeremy Collins ended the contest with nine saves, while De Angelis only had to save three shots.

Notre Dame outshot the Bobcats, 16-10, in the contest.

"Sunday will be a great opportunity for us to go up against one of the best teams in the nation," Nolan said. "We are pleased to have played ourselves into this opportunity to compete for the MEC Championship."

The Falcons are scheduled to travel to the top seed, No. 10 University of Charleston, and play on Sunday, November 17. The start time has not been announced.