Box Score ERIE, Pa. -- In a Saturday afternoon showdown between two of the top teams in the Mid-Atlantic Region - as well as two top-25 ranked teams - the No. 24 ranked Falcons traveled to Mercyhurst to take on the ninth-ranked Lakers in a non-conference matchup. The Falcons never trailed as they controlled the tempo from start to finish, picking up an impressive 3-1 road win over Mercyhurst.

Coming off an impressive 2-0 road win over Gannon on Thursday night, the Falcons came into Saturday's contest against the Lakers looking for another imposing win. Mercyhurst defeated NDC 4-1 in South Euclid in the 2014 season opener, adding fuel to the Falcons' fire.

The Falcons took control early on in the game, leaning on their senior captain Declan McGivern. McGivern received a throw-in pass from Felipe Silva, turned and fired a bottom-right shot past the goalkeeper, giving NDC a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. 

Looking to tack on to their lead, the Falcons maintained possession and looked to create chances, but it was the Lakers who took advantage of a shot by Joseph Korb, who scored to tie the game at 1-1 in the 23rd minute.

Both teams continued to push for the lead before halftime, but the score remained knotted at 1-1 going into the intermission.

In the second half, the Falcons followed the same theme from the first half, looking to McGivern early on for offense. In the 51st minute, McGivern scored a header goal off a corner kick from Reece Daly, giving NDC the lead again, 2-1.

The header goal by McGivern was his second of the game - matching his total goal amount from the 2014 season.

Holding a 2-1 lead over the Lakers, the Falcons were not content with a one goal lead. Minutes later in the 65th minute, Arthur Favero scored a rebound goal in front of the net, with the assist coming from Leonardo Paiva.

The goal by Favero gave the Falcons a 3-1 lead about halfway through the second half as the Falcons took control of the game.

NDC's defense contined to limit shot attempts from the opposition, and Spencer Sample made saves in goal when needed. From there, the Falcons cruised to a 3-1 road win over the ninth-ranked Lakers.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 2-0 on the season, having outscored opponents 5-1 through two games.

NDC will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at home against Shepherd University. The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.