SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – A little over six years ago, Notre Dame College upset the number one team in the country, scoring five goals in the process. On Wednesday, the Falcons put up four goals in a victory against previously undefeated, and No. 1 ranked, Davis & Elkins College. With the victory, NDC has now won eight consecutive games, the program's longest win streak since the 2011 season.

Wednesday's victory is Notre Dame's first win against a nationally ranked opponent since defeating No. 11 Davis & Elkins in the MEC Semifinals, on April 21, 2021. The upset is also the program's first win over a No. 1 ranked team since their victory over Charleston, by a score of 5-3, on Sept. 25, 2016.

Just over a minute into the contest, Notre Dame's Antonio Bittencourt went down with an injury. Bittencourt is a top player in NDC's defensive unit, but others stepped up to fill the void. In the 21st minute, D&E's Christhian Bosquez had the Falcons backing up and cut to his left to set up for a shot. Freshman Jared Rimmer slid in front of the shot to send it away and the momentum started to slide in favor of NDC.

The Falcons were outshot 6-4 by the Senators in the first half, but NDC got on the board, first, in the 36th minute. On a free kick, just outside of the box, sophomore Taylor Dyson went for it all and sent it over the heads of the defenders, into the net.

Dyson was in on every scoring play in the game, with a goal and three assists.

In the 43rd minute, senior Jack Milford nearly scored NDC's second goal, but his shot was just high, missing the crossbar.

This brewing rivalry showed on the field as the teams were very physical, throughout. The Falcons stayed focus and continued to create opportunities. In the 52nd minute, Dyson launched a corner kick that went a bit long, but was redirected by senior Jordan Lewis. Sophomore Connor O'Reilly was in the right place and he sent the ball into the goal.

After the defense continued to frustrate D&E, the Falcons would score the third goal of the game, ten minutes later. Dyson, again, was a major factor as he found space and moved the ball up the field about 45 yards without much resistance. After Dyson worked to the middle of the field, he dumped it off to freshman Simao Coelho, to his right. Coelho was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and sent it through for his sixth goal of the season.

NDC continued to stun the Senators with a goal in the 78th minute, mirroring the 4-0 score that Davis & Elkins beat Notre Dame by, early this season. Taylor Dyson stood on the left side of the box, and sent a cross in front of the goal. On another successful set piece, Ned Dry ran up to the goal and was the one to direct the ball into the net.

On the other side of the field, the Falcons' defense posted their seventh shutout of the season. Goalkeeper Pedro Alves had three saves.

"Today was a good day for the team," said head coach Carl Nolan. "The focus has been on us, the team. We are talking about being a team that the college is proud of, the alum is proud of and also the players are proud to play for."

Incredibly, Davis & Elkins had allowed just two goals all season, entering this game. The Senators were leading all Division II teams in total goals, total points, total assists and goal differential. They have posted seven shutouts this year.

Since joining NCAA Division II in 2012, NDC has never beaten ranked teams in back-to-back games, but they will attempt to do that this week. The Falcons welcome No. 9 University of Charleston to Mueller Field, on Oct. 9. First touch is scheduled for 12 p.m.