MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – After being shut out in the first half, Grinnell College's women's soccer team sprang to life – and then some – in the second half on its way to toppling Cornell College 3-0 Wednesday afternoon.
 
The victory was critical for the Pioneers, serving as their first Midwest Conference win of the season as they improved to 1-1-2 in the league and 4-5-3 overall.  
 
The goal output was Grinnell's highest since tallying five against Cornell a season ago. The Pioneer's shot total of 24 was also the highest of the season and best since taking 24 against the Rams last year.
 
Grinnell spread the scoring wealth, with Amelia Dueñas '26, Rama Joshi '27 and Addison Thornberg '29 all finding the back of the net.
 
But Grinnell didn't just do damage with its offense, as Peyton Dixon '27 worked yet another shutout at the keeper spot for the Pioneers. She posted two saves while getting her sixth shutout of the season and 24^th in her career.
 
After the teams battled 60 minutes of scoreless soccer, Joshi broke the tie in the 61^st minute with her first goal of the season and fifth in her career. On the play, Joshi raced down the field into Cornell territory. Just inside the box, she took a shot that was stopped by the Rams' keeper. However, Joshi stayed with the loose ball and fired it into the net from 10 yards out.
 
Grinnell went ahead 2-0 in the 73^rd minute when Dueñas was given a penalty kick opportunity. She caught the Rams' keeper flat-footed on the shot while tapping it into the right side of the net. It was her first goal of the season and third in her career.
 
Just five minutes later, Thornberg earned her first collegiate goal. Following a throw-in, Grinnell worked the ball into the box with a pass that Thornberg gained control of and sent high into the upper-right part of the net.
 
Of Grinnell's 24 shots, Keiko Smith '26 led the charge with five while Maya Mozena '28 contributed four and Ramona Delborne '26 added three. Zoe Kunzman '28, Sarah Travis '27, Joshi, Dueñas and Thornberg all posted two shots and Campbell Swaim '28 and Nikki Styranovski '29 had one apiece.
 
Depth played a key factor for Grinnell, as 17 players saw action on the pitch. Besides outshooting Cornell 24-4, the Pioneers owned a 14-2 margin in shots on goal and 12-4 lead in corners.
 
Cornell saw its season mark drop to 0-3 in the MWC and 2-10 in all games.
 
Grinnell steps out of league play Saturday with a noon contest at Coe College.