MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's soccer team notched its first shutout of the season and first Midwest Conference win with a 2-0 decision over Ripon Saturday at home.
 
The Rams (5-3-1 overall, 1-1 MWC) scored twice during a four-minute span in the first half en route to their fifth victory in the last six tries.
 
Cornell broke through against a Ripon squad (2-6-2 overall, 1-1-1 MWC) that hadn't been scored upon in its first two conference contests.
 
Sophomore Aiden Lerch netted an unassisted goal at the 26-minute mark to put the Rams on the scoreboard. It was Lerch's fourth goal of the fall.
 
George Archer added insurance in the 30th minute, converting his second penalty kick of the season to push Cornell ahead 2-0.
 
Goalkeeper Will Bickel collected three saves over the full 90 minutes.
 
The Rams held a commanding 23-8 advantage in total shots. Lerch, Zach Miller and Mardoche Ntonku had five shots apiece.
  
Coming up – The Rams travel to conference contender Grinnell (5-4, 2-0 MWC) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.