MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's soccer team christened its new competition field Friday, falling 5-0 to 2018 NCAA qualifier Gustavus Adolphus in the season opener.

The Rams (0-1), coming off a record-setting 14-win campaign, looked strong and solid to begin the match. However, just after 18 minutes in, the Golden Gusties (1-0) opened the scoring on their first shot on target.

Later in the first half the Golden Gusties scored twice in under two minutes to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. Gustavus scored two penalty kicks in the second half to complete the scoring.

Cole Schwartz scored three of the five goals for the Golden Gusties, the defending regular-season MIAC champions.

The Golden Gusties outshot the Rams 13-9. Sam Duff (JR/Fort Collins, Colo.) and Facundo Benavidez (SR/Buenos Aires, Argentina) paced the Rams attack with seven shots between them.

Duff attempted four with one on target, Benavidez attempted three with one on target. Benavidez had two near misses on goal, hitting the crossbar on one attempt and on another forcing the opposing goalie into a save on a free kick. Abdulla Awaji (JR/Tampa, Fla.) and Justin Howe (SO/Sedalia, Colo.) attempted the other two shots for the Rams.

Starting goalkeeper Tom Gallagher (JR/Cincinnati, Ohio) played the first 64 minutes. Dylan Terrell (JR/Hickory Hills, Ill.) finished the match in goal.

Coming up – The Rams are back home Sunday to face NAIA's Clarke University at 3:30 p.m.