SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame College was able to jump out to a lead with goals by
Ned Dry and
Carlos Almeida, but West Virginia Wesleyan College fought back with two second half goals and the two teams went home with a 2-2 draw.
The Falcons struck first in the 29th minute. Freshman
Ailton Fagner Silva received a pass and took the ball into the box before sending it to Dry, who had a clear look at goal. He fooled the goalkeeper by putting the shot in the left side of the net. Dry now has nine goals and 22 points in eight games this season.
NDC took seven shots in the first half and had seven corner kicks.
Neither team could find much space for a chance early in the second half. About 20 minutes into the second stanza, Silva sent a pass from the far-left side of the box across to Almeida, who had an opportunity, but with a tough angle. The Falcons' striker sent the ball toward the goal and it ricocheted off WVWC goalkeeper Logan Nelson and into the net. In the 64th minute, NDC led 2-0.
One minute later, the Bobcats' second shot of the second half found the back of the net off the foot of Nika Monaselidze.
And W.Va. Wesleyan knotted things up at two in the 79th minute as Connor Hartwell launched a free kick about 30 yards into the box. Charlie Naylor found space and knocked the ball past the NDC defense for a goal.
Notre Dame had a few chances in overtime, taking seven shots, but did not find the net.
For Silva, his two assists set a career-high.
Notre Dame will now be on the road for the next three games. Next Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Falcons travel to Davis & Elkins College for a 7 p.m. start.
