CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On a day the temperature reached the upper 80s in West Virginia's state capitol, Notre Dame College and the University of Charleston were locked in a tough defensive battle through 45 minutes, on Sunday. However, UC was able to score three times after the 60th minute to take the win, 3-0.

Throughout the first half, both defenses prevented either team from maintaining possession for long. The teams combined for four shots and Charleston had the only shot on goal.

In the closing seconds of the half, Christos Charalambous used a long free kick to get the ball into the box. After a collision of several players in front of goal, the ball bounced into the net but a foul was called. NDCs goalkeeper Daniele De Angelis laid on the ground, but would stay in the game.

To start the second half, Charleston was on the move and took two quick shots in first five minutes.

In the 46th minute, a shot taken just outside of the box by Eduardo Iranzo was saved as De Angelis dove to his right to save it. Then, in the 49th minute, senior Giulio Bellei had possibly the best look of the game for the Falcons, but his shot was just off to the right side of the goal.

Later in the match, the Golden Eagles took advantage of a beneficial bounce. A shot was taken from the right side of the field and De Angelis jumped to make the save. When he fell to the ground, the ball rolled out of his grasp. Freddie Tracey found the ball and took a shot that barely squeaked past the goal line in the 62nd minute.

Three minutes later, Charleston was on a breakaway and had numbers on the Notre Dame defense. Iranzo took the pass and put the second point on the scoreboard.

With about 15 minutes remaining, junior Evans Armah took a shot in the box that had UC's goalkeeper Andri Gretarsson diving to his left to keep the ball out of the net.

A Charleston corner kick put the play in motion for their third goal with 12 minutes to go. After the corner, multiple Golden Eagles were in the box with NDC trying to clear the ball. Charalambous waited back and once he received the ball, curled a shot to the upper right corner of the goal.

Bellei led Notre Dame with two shots on goal and De Angelis had four saves. For Charleston, Gretarsson recorded three saves.

Notre Dame took five shots while Charleston had 11, including nine in the second half.

Next, the Falcons will play September 19 at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of West Liberty University.