WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's men's soccer team continued its impressive start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Aquinas on Saturday.

The match was a rain-soaked affair at 1st Source Bank Field, especially in the first half. Overall, the Lancers (4-0-2) doubled up Aquinas on shots with a 20-10 advantage.

With the rain beginning its downpour during the starters' introductions, the first half was defined by the slick surface. Grace seemed to adapt better to the playing conditions and controlled much of the half. The Lancers took nine shots and had four corners before halftime.

Grace nearly netted in the second minute of action when Hector Torres's shot sailed just wide of the goalpost. Torres would find his moment at the end of the match, however.

Ten minutes into the match, Cody Boerema came close for Grace when his shot hit the post.

The Saints (1-3-2) managed five shots in the period but only one required a save by Grace's goalkeeper Robbie Barnhill.

Breno Oliveira put Grace ahead for good in the 41st minute. The sophomore found space from well outside the penalty box, and his long curled attempt glanced off the goalkeeper's gloves and into the corner of the net at the 40:39 mark.

The rain, which has slowed in the later stages of the first half, picked back up to start the second half. Grace's offense also seemed to pick up momentum after halftime; the Lancers fired 11 shots and five shots on goal in the second half.

Torres came close again for Grace in the 60th minute when his shot hit the goalpost, and the Saints threatened to strike back. Barnhill made a reflex save on an 18-yard shot from Aquinas, and the rebounded effort from close-range went wide of goal in the 65th minute.

Five minutes later, Grace doubled its advantage. Nikola Djordjevic won a header at midfield and passed to Damon Binkley. Binkley made a perfect leading pass to Boerema who streaked behind the Saints' defense, and Boerema beat the goalkeeper for his fourth goal in five games.

Grace won a number of free kicks near the penalty box in the second half and came close on several of those opportunities without scoring.

The insurance goal came with less than a minute to play. Dominic Harris played a ball across the box which fell untouched to Torres on the far side. Torres made the most of his chance with a well-struck volley into the back of the net, converting the first goal of his collegiate career.

Colin Cape and Binkley led Grace with four shots apiece, and Torres, Boerema and Oliveira each took three.

Barnhill picked up the shutout win with four saves. He was defended well throughout the match by Jon Sands, Jon Christensen, Brayton Taylor and Josiah Osborn.

The Lancers hit the road next week for matches on Friday and Saturday against Harris-Stowe (Mo.) and Bacone (Okla.). Grace will start their Crossroads League campaign on Sept. 24 at Bethel.