Box Score

The Malone University men's soccer team opened its 2011 season on a strong note Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 victory on the road against NCAA Division II Lake Erie College. Malone jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the contest before the Storm cut the deficit in half with a goal midway through the second period. Lake Erie was unable to get any closer, though, as the Pioneers put the match away with goals in the 79th and 84th minutes. Malone's record moved to 1-0 with Saturday's win, the first season-opening victory for the Pioneers since 2007 when they began the year with a 2-1 triumph over Ashland University. Lake Erie, meanwhile, slipped to 1-1 overall after having started its season on Thursday with a 3-1 home win over NCAA Division II Wheeling Jesuit (WV) University.

Malone's leading goal scorer from 2010, midfielder Kelvin Aquino, picked up right where he left off last season, putting the Pioneers in front 1-0 with a goal 11 minutes into Saturday's match off a pass from fellow midfielder Felipe Delgado.

The score then remained unchanged until four minutes into the second period as forward Josh Abend knocked in a header off a free kick from midfielder Stephen Wannah.

Lake Erie midfielder Nathan Bias pulled the Storm within one with an unassisted score in the 72nd minute. However, Abend quickly answered back for the Pioneers, notching his second goal of the afternoon less than seven minutes later off a pass from Aquino. The Pioneers then wrapped up the day's scoring moments later when Abend concluded his big second half by assisting midfielder Rubem Miranda on Malone's fourth goal.

The Storm held a slim 17-16 advantage in total shots and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks over the course of the match, but it was the Pioneers who managed to capitalize on their opportunities and find the back of the net.

Malone goalkeeper Felipe Monteiro stopped eight of the Storm's nine shots on goal.  Lake Erie keeper Ricky Carreira countered by making five saves.

The Pioneers will be back in action on Monday when they host their home opener at 2:00 p.m. against Shawnee State University (1-0 overall).