Box Score LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- After a pair of home wins over the past week, the Notre Dame College men's soccer team took to the road on Sunday afternoon to take on the host Lock Haven Bald Eagles in a non-conference matchup. The 11th-ranked Falcons scored three second-half goals and went on to win by a final score 3-0, improving to a perfect 5-0 on the season in the process.
Following the same theme from their first four games this season, the Falcons dominated the tempo and ball possession, creating offensive chances throughout the first half. On the flip side, the Falcons' stout defense limited shot opportunities for the Bald Eagles, who attempted just two shots in the first half.
The Falcons attempted seven shots in the first half, outshooting Lock Haven 7-2, but failed to captialize on the chances, leading to a scoreless tie at halftime.
In the second half, NDC's defense continued to shut down the Lock Haven offensive attack. The strong defensive play continued to generate offensive opportunities for the Falcons, paying immediate dividends for NDC.
In the 49th minute of the game,
Ryan Ware attempted a shot on goal, but the shot was deflected and loose in the box.
Jacob Earnest then corralled the loose ball, fired a shot on goal and found the back of the net, successfully converting the rebound attempt off Ware's shot. Earnest's goal - his second of the season - gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead early in the second half.
While the Falcons led just 1-0 on the scoreboard, they were in clear control of the game as they continued to keep ball possession on Lock Haven's side of the field.
As minutes continued to tick off the game clock, NDC pushed to increase their lead, and found success in the 71st minute.
Leonardo Paiva - the Falcons' leading scorer this season - added to his scoring total, scoring a loose ball in the box to register his fifth goal of the season.
Paiva's goal gave NDC a 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes to play, but the Falcons weren't done there.
Just two minutes later in the 73rd minute,
Reymar Klochko-Khoo scored a diving header to the far post, with the assist going to
Joao Pedro Ribas de Oliveira. The goal from Klochko-Khoo was NDC's third and final goal of the day, as the Falcons held on for the 3-0 road victory.
With the win, the Falcons improve to a perfect 5-0 on the season. Furthermore, the Falcons have outscored opponents 17-4 this season.
NDC will return to action next Sunday, Sept. 20 on the road at Urbana University in a Mountain East Conference matchup. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 pm start.
