GRINNELL, Iowa – In a physical battle on a hot and muggy Friday afternoon, the Grinnell College men's soccer team rose to the occasion.
 
The Pioneers scored twice in the second period within a five-minute span and made those goals stick for a 2-0 win over Iowa Wesleyan University at Springer Field. The physical nature was displayed by the issuance of six yellow cards, with four of those on the visiting Tigers.
 
Jared Cloutier '20 recorded his first shutout of the year, and third of his career, at keeper for Grinnell while making five saves.  After a scoreless first half, which saw Grinnell outshoot the Tigers 8-6 and earn eight corner kicks, the Pioneers saw their prowess pay off in the final stanza.
 
In the 65th minute, Evan Sorenson '19 scored the first goal of the season and 10th of his career as he headed the ball in from the left side after a corner kick by Mikoto Kobayashi '20. Just five minutes later, Kobayashi delivered a pass into the box and Jasper Yang '21 got a foot on it and tapped it in from the right side. It was Yang's team-high third goal of the year and seventh in his career.
 
Grinnell had 14 corners in the game compared to three for the Tigers. Grinnell managed 13 shots in the contest, with Yang taking four of them and Sorenson three.
 
The Pioneers, 3-1 on the season, entertain Illinois Wesleyan University Saturday at Springer Field. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Iowa Wesleyan dipped to 2-3-1.