CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – It was the exact way the Grinnell College men's soccer team had hoped to open the 2018 campaign.
 
The Pioneers shot out to a 2-0 halftime lead and never looked back in defeating Coe College 3-1 Friday night on the Kohawks' pitch.
 
Three Pioneers recorded their first-ever collegiate goals, including All-Midwest Conference defender Thomas Pflipsen '20. Also scoring for Grinnell were Caleb Ritter '21 and Ray Goedeker '22.
 
Grinnell dominated the shots battle all night, holding an 18-5 edge including 13-3 in the second half alone. Jasper Yang '21 had four of those shots and Mikoto Kobayashi '20, Zac Reeves '20, Kyle Buse '20 and Ritter added two apiece. Keeper Jared Cloutier '20 recorded a pair of saves.
 
Pflipsen broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 24th minute on an assist by Reeves, scoring on a deflection off the keeper. Goedeker scored as time expired in the half with a header from 5 yards out on Max Sorenson's '22 assist. After Coe scored in the 54th minute, Ritter gave the Pioneers some insurance with a score in the 72nd minute after a deflection off the keeper. Yang had the assist.
 
Grinnell plays its 2018 home opener Saturday when Carleton College visits Springer Field. Game time is slated for 3 p.m.