SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – In the Mountain East Conference Semifinals, freshman Charlotte Vari scored five of Notre Dame College's first six goals to get the offense going. The Falcons trailed 4-2 at halftime, but 13 second half goals pushed NDC over the University of Charleston by a final score of 15-10.

Charleston slowed down their offense and played tight defense on the Falcons, causing a few early turnovers. The Golden Eagles took a 3-0 lead over a 10-minute span.

With 12:43 to go in the first half, a shot by senior Bridie Schmalz was saved by Charleston goalkeeper Georgia Ryan. Vari picked up the groundball and did not wait long before converting NDC's first goal of the day.

McKenna Kincaid scored her second goal of the day with about seven minutes remaining, giving Charleston a 4-1 advantage.

After a shot clock violation by UC, the Falcons went down the field and Vari scored her second goal with 2:13 on the clock.

At halftime, Charleston led, 4-2, and for just the second time this season, NDC was held to two goals, or less, in the first half of a game.

"We came out kind of flat, started to find our groove a little bit right before the half and then in the second half, freshman Charlotte Vari just kind of took over," said head coach Ben Morhac. "She led the way and then everyone followed suit. Not a bad way to end the game."

A turnover caused by junior Katie Wendell a few seconds into the second half, led to Vari scoring on the offensive end. After Charleston scored and took a 5-3 lead, sophomore Alicyn Loberg won the draw control and Vari scored for the fourth time.

Senior Sydney DeCamp caused a turnover and then Loberg passed to senior Selena Carter, who scored to tie the game at five with 22:46 remaining in the contest.

Once again, Loberg won the draw control and Vari gave the Falcons their first lead of the day with 22:46 to go in the second half. Not long after taking the lead, Loberg recorded a caused turnover and Vari was in on another scoring play; she assisted a goal scored by senior Emily Thomson.

The Golden Eagles tied the game at seven, but the Falcons responded when Wendell, freshman Megan Jackson and junior Megan Dano scored to give NDC a three-goal lead.

With plenty of time still on the second half clock, Charleston would cut the NDC lead to one goal, twice. A pair of goals made the score 10-9 and they would also close within a goal, 11-10, with less than seven minutes remaining.

However, NDC had an answer to Charleston's goals, as they did throughout much of the second half. Over the final 6:41 of the contest, the Falcons scored four consecutive goals. Wendell had two goals and an assist during the late game run. Junior Ebony Reddick, who entered the game late, scored once.

"It's surreal, to be honest," said junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Levine. "A lot of our seniors on the field got really emotional during the last three minutes. At first, it looked like it might be our last game, but we fought for each other and to be the first seed and go to the championship, it's phenomenal. For everyone to come together and play for 'we' and not 'me', it's something so special."

Vari tied her career-high with five goals, which also ranks tied for third in an MEC Tournament game. Loberg totaled eight draw controls, which is the most in a game in MEC Tournament history. Wendell finished the game with three goals, an assist and four caused turnovers. Levine finished with 13 saves, including eight in the second half. Her 13 saves rank tied for second in MEC Tournament history.

Notre Dame has now won five games in a row, marking their second streak of five wins this season.

The Falcons will stay home to play Frostburg State University, the two seed, in the MEC Championship game on April 30. The start time will be announced later.