SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame College defeated Salem International University 2-0 on two goals by senior Leonardo Paiva as rain fell on the Mueller Field turf for most of the game on Sunday afternoon.

The win for the Falcons (9-4) is their fourth home victory of the season and they are now 3-1 against non-conference opponents this season. NDC is 5-1 in their previous six games. The Tigers (7-4-2) have gone 2-3-1 in their last six games but were only shut out one time this season prior to Sunday's game.

The wind had been swirling since the opening kick and around the 23 minute mark, the rain started coming down hard. Between the 14th minute and the 32nd minute, Salem took three shots on goal and four shots, total, while NDC could only get close enough to take one shot in that span.

The first goal came in the 34th minute, following a corner kick by sophomore Mats Jota that bounced off a couple of players in a scrum near the goal. Senior Leonardo Paiva had an open shot, once he found the ball, and put the ball in the net. The goal was his 10th of the season.

"Leo took his chance very well on the first goal," said head coach Carl Nolan. "A good delivery in, made it difficult for Salem to defend."

NDC would take three additional shots before the halftime break.

In the second half, the rain continued, but slowed down significantly. Salem took one shot and the Falcons had already taken two shots in the first five minutes of the half.

Ameen El-Shami had a shot that could have tied the game in the 80th minute but sophomore goalkeeper Daniele De Angelis jumped on the ball to preserve the lead.

The Falcons responded with an insurance goal as Paiva scored his second goal of the game and 11th game of the season in the 83rd minute. Senior Reymar Klochko had the pass to the left side of the penalty box which hit Paiva in stride to set up the goal.

For Notre Dame, Paiva took four shots on goal and three other Falcons took a shot on goal. De Angelis recorded six saves.

Niklas Roessler and Till Trippner each had two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Wiktor Stawski had five saves.

Notre Dame's head coach was very impressed with his defense's sixth shutout of the season.

"Defensively, the back four and Daniele kept things simple and did the basics well," Nolan said. "I was really pleased with them."

The Falcons stay home to face Shepherd University on October 18. The game is scheduled to begin at noon.