MOUNT VERNON – Sophomore Sam Brueck's insurance goal in the 80th minute wound up the game-winner Friday night, lifting the Rams to a 2-1 men's soccer win at home over Nebraska Wesleyan.
 
Goalkeeper Jeremy Spina held strong over the full 90 minutes as Cornell (1-2-1) notched its first victory of the season. Nebraska Wesleyan, out of the American Rivers Conference, dropped to 1-5-1.
 
The Rams led for a large portion of the match after Cian McNamara netted the initial score at the 19-minute mark. His team-high third goal of the season was assisted by Emerson Roy.
 
The score stood 1-0 deep into the second half, when Brueck gave Cornell some breathing room with his second collegiate goal, scoring off a pass from Mardoche Ntonku
 
Moments later, Nebraska Wesleyan trimmed the margin to 2-1 with 7:14 remaining in regulation. But that was as close as the Prairie Wolves would come against Spina and the Rams' defense. Spina finished with three saves.
 
The Rams fired 12 shots in the contest, led by Zach Miller with three. McNamara, Blake Soto and Aidan Lerch attempted two apiece.
 
The Prairie Wolves put up 17 total shots and had 12 corner kick chances.
  
Coming up – The Rams have a quick turnaround Saturday with a 3 p.m. home match against Bethel.