The UW-Platteville men's soccer team made a strong opening-night statement, shutting out Cornell 3-0 Thursday in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Logan Rinderknecht scored two first half goals, while Lucas Aplin assisting on the first at 17:46 and Brad Strobel the second at 26:21.

The Pioneers held that two-goal lead for 50 minutes, until William Pretto added the final insurance goal with an unassisted score at 77:03.

Will Seehawer stopped both Rams' shots on goals to earn the victory in the nets.

Coach Enzo Fuschino's Pioneers make their home debut Saturday night, facing Coe College at 6 p.m.

By Paul Erickson, Director, UW-Platteville Communications, pr@uwplatt.edu