This week: Notre Dame College will start their conference schedule and play their home opener as they host Wheeling Jesuit University on September 6 at 4 p.m. They will then travel to California, Pa. to take on California University of Pennsylvania on September 10 at 3 p.m.

Records: The Falcons are 1-1 after beating Gannon University in their season opener but then falling to No. 20 Mercyhurst 2-1 in overtime last week. The Cardinals (1-0-1) followed a scoreless tie with Seton Hill University with a win over California (Pa.), 2-1, in overtime. The Vulcans (0-2) lost to both Mountain East Conference opponents that they faced last week, losing to West Virginia Wesleyan College 4-0 and then falling to Wheeling Jesuit, 2-1 in overtime.

Coaches Corner: The Notre Dame College men's soccer coach Carl Nolan is in his second season as head coach. He holds a record of 11-6-2, 8-2-2 MEC since 2016. James Regan is in his 34th season as head coach of the Cardinals, taking over in 1983. He has a coaching record of 361-229-56, 22-23-4 MEC. Emedin Sabic is in his fifth season as head coach of the Vulcans and holds a record of 32-36-4.

Rankings: None of the teams were ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.

Series History: The Falcons have an all-time record of 9-2-1 against Wheeling Jesuit. Last season, the Falcons beat the Cardinals 4-0 in Wheeling, W.V. and 1-0 at home, later in the season. The Falcons have lost once to the Cardinals since the teams entered the MEC and NDC hasn't lost to Wheeling Jesuit at home since 2014 (MEC Tournament). They haven't lost to the Cardinals at home in the regular season since 2006. The Falcons have never faced California (Pa.).

Noting the Falcons: Notre Dame was able to go 1-1 after the first week of play. On August 31, NDC got two goals from Giulio Bellei, his first career goals, a goal from Leonardo Paiva and nine saves from goalie Daniele De Angelis as they beat Gannon 3-0. On September 3, the Falcons fell to No. 20 Mercyhurst 2-1 in overtime. Their lone goal came from Paiva, the 2016 All-American, who now has scored a goal in the 22 consecutive regular season games. NDC was voted to finish second in the MEC preseason poll. Last year, they finished the season ranked fifth in the Atlantic Region.

Noting the Cardinals: Wheeling Jesuit, nor their opponent Seton Hill University could score a goal in 110 minutes of action when the Cardinals opened up on the road on August 31. Goalkeeper Tyler Shotwell recorded 11 saves in the contest. Trey Tucker and Sullivan Saouzanet both took four shots. On the road against Califonia University of Pennsylvania, the Cardinals got their first win of the year, 2-1 in overtime on September 2, as Saouzanet scored a goal and his teammate Matt Vogt scored the winning goal in overtime. WJU took 12 shots while California (Pa.) took 11 shots. Both goals in regulation came with under 12 minutes to play. Shotwell was named MEC Defensive Player of the Week on September 4 as he recorded 13 saves over the two games and allowed one goal. Wheeling Jesuit was picked to finish fifth in the Mountain East Conference Preseason Poll.

Noting the Vulcans: It has been a tough start for California (Pa.) as they have played two MEC opponents already. The Vulcans lost their home opener 4-0 to West Virginia Wesleyan College on August 31 and all four of the Bobcats goals came in the second half. WVWC took 19 shots to the Vulcans four shots. Christian Fletcher took two shots for California (Pa.). They fell to Wheeling Jesuit on September 2, 2-1 in overtime. Joseph Valeriano scored a goal with 7:27 remaining to tie the game at 1. The Vulcans did take 11 shots in that contest.