South Euclid, Ohio – The West Liberty University men's soccer team fell on the road to (RV) Notre Dame by a score of 2-1 at Mueller Field on Sunday afternoon. After the Falcons scored the lone goal of the first half, the Hilltoppers tied the match early in the second half on a penalty kick by Vitor Otsuka. However, the game would be decided with a game-winning penalty kick in the 86^th minute by NDC.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: West Liberty 1, (RV) Notre Dame 2
Team Records: West Liberty 5-5-4 (4-5-2 MEC), (RV) Notre Dame 10-2-3 (7-2-3 MEC)
Attendance: 200
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Notre Dame scored the lone first half goal in the 16^th minute as Will Couch received a touch pass on the run from Parker Bolin and fired a shot from the right side of the box that ricocheted into the goal off the left post. Jared Rimmer also received an assist on the play.
• In the 55^th minute Tim Stickland had a breakaway opportunity for West Liberty but was fouled inside the box before he was able to get a shot attempt off. Vitor Otsuka took the penalty kick attempt and put the ball into the left side of the net to knot the game up at one goal apiece.
• In the 86^th minute Evans Armah was attempting to make a cut past the WLU defense in the box and was tripped up, drawing the penalty kick. Higor Xisto placed the penalty kick into the right side of the net for NDC to take the 2-1 lead.
• Notre Dame held the advantage in shots (18-9), shots-on-goal (4-3), and corner kicks (9-2) while the teams were even with two saves apiece.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Vitor Otsuka: 2 shots, 2 shots-on-goal, 1 goal
Rhys Lewis: 2 shots
Zachary Jordan: 2 shots
Noah Underwood: 2 saves
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will play their final regular season home match at the West Family Athletic Complex on Wednesday evening when they host No. 4 Charleston. The Hilltoppers and Golden Eagles are set for a 6 p.m. kickoff on the hilltop.