(CANTON, Ohio) — As the rain fell in chilly Canton Thursday night, so did the shots for the Lake Erie men's soccer team, as the Storm defeated Malone, 5-0. The victory brings Lake Erie's record to 2-0 on the season, while the loss moves Malone to 0-2.

For the Storm, it was a tale of two halves in this one, or, more specifically, a question of which half was better for the guys in green.

The first half was very good to head coach Louie Rolko's bunch, as junior midfielder Daniel Utgaard knocked through the first goal, while senior forward Tom Pearson kicked in a second for the Storm before reaching the halfway point.

But the second half arguably topped the first for the Storm, who saw three more balls get placed in the back of the Malone net while simultaneously continuing to keep the Pioneers scoreless at the other end of the field. After an own goal early in the period by Malone, sophomore foward Ayden Von Essen grabbed a goal, his third in the first two games. Then junior midfielder Arthur Lucas picked up one of his own before all was said and done.

Meanwhile, senior goalie Tom John shut out the Pioneers on two saves. Also noteworthy is the fact that four Malone players were given yellow cards, all in the second half.

Now the 11th-ranked Storm prepare for their next match, at home against Ohio Valley on Saturday. That game starts at 7:00 p.m. EST.