MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's lacrosse team shot early and often, and overwhelmed Augustana in Wednesday's home-opening 18-3 rout at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
 
Coach Lane Zierten's Rams (1-1) broke the school record for total shots in a game when freshman Xavier Higgins delivered the team's 85th attempt in the final minute of regulation. The previous mark was 84 against Concordia Chicago in the 2016 season.
 
Cornell was the aggressor throughout and had six players register multiple goals, led by four apiece from sophomore Charley Kobets and freshman Aaron Rodriguez. Kobets fired 16 shots and also dished three assists.
 
Rodriguez netted all four of his scores in the first half in helping the Rams build a commanding 12-3 lead at intermission. Kobets struck four times in the third quarter as Cornell's margin ballooned to 17-3 through 45 minutes.
 
The Rams rattled off 10 unanswered goals to finish the night and held the Vikings (0-2) scoreless in the second half.
 
Tyler Foster and Brandon Warnke posted three goals apiece, while Higgins and Kaden Weaver both found the back of the net twice. Higgins, Foster and Jonleon Pennell each had one assist.
 
Senior Ash Hoelscher won all nine of his face-off chances and led the team with eight ground balls. Winning goalie Thomas Cook collected nine saves in three quarters of work. Nathan Diveley came on in the fourth to complete the dominant performance.
 
Coming up – The Rams play host to Centenary (2-1) at 7 p.m. next Wednesday, March 5.