MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's soccer team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, beating NAIA's Clarke 5-0 Sunday afternoon for its first victory of the season.

Abdulla Awaji (JR/Tampa, Fla.) opened the scoring just eight minutes into the match, the first goal for the Rams on their new field. Tyler Davis (JR/St. Andrews, Jamaica) scored the second goal 15 minutes later from a pass by Gabriel Ximenes (SR/Brasilia, Brazil).

Freshmen Jari Gottgens (FR/Nootdorp, Netherlands), Marcello Robbins (FR/Oak Park, Ill.) and Blake Soto (FR/Oak Park, Ill.) each scored their first collegiate goals for the Rams. Soto's shot came with under a minute to go in the first half from a headed pass by Nolan Zeger (FR/Omaha, Neb.). Awaji recorded an assist on Gottgens's goal.

The Rams dominated the Pride (1-1), outshooting them 24-8. Eleven players attempted a shot. Facundo Benavidez (SR/Buenos Aires, Argentina), Tyler Davis, Galen Westervelt (FR/Lopez Island, Wash.) and Ximenes each attempted three shots. Awaji attempted five for the Rams. Cornell fired seven corner kicks to Clarke's two.

Starting goalkeeper Tom Gallagher (JR/Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded two saves in the first half. Dylan Terrell (JR/Hickory Hills, Ill.) replaced him after the intermission and recorded two saves of his own to complete the shutout for the Rams (1-1).

Coming up – The Rams play host to Bethel Saturday on Youth Day. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.