SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – In the first game of the regular season, Notre Dame College and Lock Haven University had to battle through the early nerves on Mueller Field. The Falcons had the chances throughout the game, taking 13 more shots, and junior Antonio Bittencourt scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute.

Bittencourt had the first good look of the day. Following a free kick in the eighth minute, he placed a header just below the crossbar, prompting LHU goalkeeper Aitor Ruiz de Eguilaz to jump and punch it away.

NDC would get one more shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, as junior Leonardo Palmieri sent one into the box that settled into Ruiz de Eguilaz' arms.

Lock Haven took just two shots in the first half, and neither of them were on target.

Notre Dame continued to work the ball on the Bald Eagles' side of the pitch. After taking nine shots in the first half, they posted nine more in the second.

"I think the boys understand how to stick to a task," head coach Carl Nolan said, after the game. "The frustration level didn't tend to appear. That's a good trait to have, especially early in the season."

Sophomore Connor O'Reilly took the ball in the 56th minute and had a solid opportunity, but his shot sailed past the front of the goal and off to the left side.

The Falcons' goalkeeper Rafael Baia made his presence known in the second half, flying around to keep the score tied in the 67th minute. Lock Haven's Dean Lewis had the best look of the afternoon for LHU, but Baia made the save. Not long after, he punched away a dangerous corner kick.

About 10 minutes later, NDC broke through. On a set piece from the left side of the field, sophomore Taylor Dyson launched a pass into the box, allowing Bittencourt to catch up to the ball and find the back of the net.

"I felt like we were pretty good on free kicks and corners," Bittencourt said. "And I felt like, if I ran diagonally, I could have a chance at a touch. The delivery had been good, so a tiny touch got it to the goal."

The offensive attack did not end there, as NDC launched three more shots on goal in the final 12 minutes.

"Really pleased," Nolan mentioned. "We created a lot of chances today. We got better in the second half, typical first game of the season. We kept working in the second half and we stuck to our principles and I think that created a goal on the set piece."

Freshman Simao Coelho led the team with three shots and also had one shot on goal.

NDC has now won its home opener in five of the last six seasons.

The Falcons dive right into Mountain East Conference play as they travel to Davis & Elkins College to play the No. 10 ranked Senators on Aug. 28. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.