SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – For the 15th time this season, Notre Dame College is a winner. On Tuesday, the No. 21 ranked Falcons took care of business in the Mountain East Conference Quarterfinals, defeating West Liberty University by a score of 5-1.
 
Sophomore Ailton Fagner Silva was the hero of the first half for NDC. After starting just two games in the regular season, he was in the lineup on Tuesday and took five shots in the first half, scoring two goals.
 
Just five minutes into the game, sophomore Taylor Dyson entered the attacking third and passed the ball into the box. WLU goalkeeper Noah Underwood came out to grab the ball but Silva caught up to the pass and sent a shot into the net.
 
Dyson now has 12 assists on the season and is alone in second place in program history for assists in a single season.
 
The second goal of the game took place in the 29th minute. On the left side of the field, senior Kai Wagner moved the ball to sophomore Connor O'Reilly, who then sent the ball rolling to the middle of the box. Dyson fooled the defense by running over the ball and letting it roll through to Silva, who scored, again.
 
The Falcons outshot West Liberty, 10-2, in the first half and, 11-2, in the second half.
 
Less than three minutes into the second stanza, O'Reilly was in the right place on a corner. With players spread out in the box, junior Leonardo Palmieri sent the pass in front of the goal. O'Reilly jumped up and headed the ball in to give NDC a 3-0 advantage.
 
Dyson scored a goal of his own in the 70th minute. A very smooth play had Silva pushing the ball up to Wagner on the left side of the box. Still on the run, Wagner sent a pass to the middle of the field, where Dyson used his body to guide the ball into the net.
 
West Liberty's only goal of the game was scored after the Falcons had some miscommunication near their own goal. NDC's defense was trying to keep the ball away by passing it back and forth, however, the Hilltoppers applied pressure and caused a turnover. Oskar Voges powered the ball away and scored before the Falcons could get back into position.

Another corner kick led to the Falcons' fifth goal of the day. The ball bounced around initially, before freshman Parker Bolin steadied the ball and moved it over to freshman Tapiwa Mushonga who then scored his first career goal, in just his second game. Bolin was credited with his first career assist.
 
"Today was a good day for the program," said head coach Carl Nolan. "The players gave a controlled performance, that was pleasing to watch. We now move on. Staff and players are all wishing Mark Donnelly [who was injured in the first minute], from West Liberty, a speedy recovery from his injury today."
 
Dyson and Silva each took four shots on target. Silva finished the game with a season-high five points.
 
The Falcons advance to play on the road against the two seed Davis & Elkins, on Nov. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.