The Dominican University men's soccer team picked up a 9-0 win over the Illinois College Blueboys on Friday afternoon at West Campus Field to open the 2018 season.  The Stars scored three in the first half, including a pair of goals by freshman Jonathan Hernandez, before exploding for six goals in the second half to put the match out of reach.
 
In addition to Hernandez's two tallies, #Isaac Perez# and #Giacomo Parrino# added two scores apiece, while #Nicolo Vitale#, #Denis Soldo# and #Josh Prindle# all added goals in the winning effort.  It was Vitale's strike from 17 yards out in the 14^th minute of play that proved to be the game-winner.
 
Hernandez scored both of his goals in the first half as the Stars opened a 3-0 lead at the half.
 
While Dominican dominated the run of play in the first half, outshooting the Blueboys 13-3, the Stars turned the pressure up a notch in the second half, limiting Illinois College to just one shot over the final 45 minutes while peppering Illinois College's Rual Rubalcava with 21 second-half shots including nine on target.  Perez's first goal came just three minutes into the second half to give the Stars a 4-0 lead before Prindle opened the flood gates with the first of five goals for Dominican over the final 20 minutes.
 
Dominican's backline in front of freshman goalkeeper #Daniel Dominguez#, allowed just four shots two on goal that were turned away by Dominguez.
 
"It was nice to see so many newcomers to the program continue to contribute," commented Erick Baumann, the Stars' head coach, following the contest. "Our depth really showed today and the energy level was fantastic."
 
In total, 19 players saw time on the pitch for Dominican, including eight players making their Dominican University debut and two more that returned to the program after missing the 2017 season.
 
The Stars, 1-0-0 on the season, will have less than 48 hours to recover, returning to West Campus Field on Sunday, hosting the Fontbonne University Griffins for a 2:45 p.m. kickoff.