This week: Notre Dame College will start the 2017 season with a couple trips to Erie, Pa. The first stop will be a road game against Gannon University on August 31, at 4 p.m. The second game is a matchup at Mercyhurst University on September 3, at 3:30 p.m.

Records: The Falcons wrapped up 2016 with a record of 10-5-2, 8-2-2 Mountain East Conference (MEC). The Golden Knights finished 2016 with a record of 11-6-1, 7-3-1 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) while the Lakers were 15-5-1, 10-1-0 PSAC.

Coaches Corner: The Notre Dame men's soccer coach Carl Nolan is entering his second season as head coach. He has been with the program since 2004 and was named associate head coach in 2009. In his first year leading the Falcons, the team went 10-5-2, 8-2-2 MEC. Gannon's Dale White, enters his third season as head coach. He currently holds a record of 18-15-1, 12-9-1 PSAC. Nenad Vidakovic is also in his third season as head coach of Mercyhurst. His coaching record with the Lakers is 24-13-2, 19-2-1 PSAC.

Rankings: Mercyhurst is ranked No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll as they head into the 2017 season.

Series History: The Falcons hold an all-time record of 3-2 against Gannon after falling to the Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime last season. Notre Dame is 2-4 against Mercyhurst. The Falcons lost to the Lakers 2-1 last year. NDC defeated both teams in 2015.

Noting the Falcons: NDC was voted to finish second in the MEC during the preseason. Last year, they finished the season ranked fifth in the Atlantic Region.  They fell to Urbana University 1-0 in the MEC Tournament Semifinals. As a team, the Falcons outscored their opponents 42-16 in 2016, including 26-8 in the second half of the year. NDC finished the season with a scoring offense ranked 13^th in the Nation (2.47 goals per game). The Falcons bring back many of their main contributors from last season, including eight players who were named to an All-Conference team. Senior Leonardo Paiva returns after being named an All-American, Region Player of the Year and Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He was also the statistical champion in the NCAA Division II for points-per-game (3.06) and goals-per-game (1.47).

Noting the Golden Knights: Gannon was voted to finish second in the PSAC preseason poll. They wrapped up last season, sixth in the Atlantic Region, after losing 2-0 to Millersville in the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament. The Golden Knights moved up to No. 17 in the National Rankings on Oct. 4, 2016. Gannon averaged 2.11 goals per game and outscored their opponents 38-23. They were ranked 10^th in the country in shots on goal per game at 8.33. Seniors George Stannard and Sergio Kobowane return this season after they earned PSAC All-Conference Second Team.

Noting the Lakers: Mercyhurst was voted to win the PSAC with eight first place votes. The Lakers finished last year in second place in the Atlantic Region. They won the PSAC Tournament, but lost to Urbana 2-0 in the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. After the season, Nenad Vidakovic was named Conference Coach of the Year. Mercyhurst outscored their opponents 57-30 last season and averaged 2.71 goals per game. Their scoring offense was ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division II. As a team, they also ranked 10^th in points per game with 7.19. Sophomore Jorge Gonzalez returns this season after winning All-Conference Second Team and Freshman of the Year. Gonzalez was also named to the All-Atlantic Region Second Team. He was tied for 17^th in the Nation with 15 goals.