GAMBIER, Ohio – Max Taylor and Atli Hrafnkelsson each scored twice as the No. 10-ranked Kenyon College men's soccer team defeated NAIA Ohio Christian University 7-0 on Friday night at Mavec Field. The seven goals scored were the most in a season opener in the NCAC era (1984-pres).
 
Kenyon's speed and defensive pressure was a bit much for the Trailblazers as by game's end; the home squad had out-shot the visitors 40-1.
 
Through almost the first 20 minutes of action, the Lords had taken five corner kicks but were not able to find the back of the net.
 
That changed at the 19:04 mark. Ohio Christian committed a foul inside the goalie's box and Taylor followed with a penalty-kick conversion. A little over two minutes later, freshman Sebastian Brylka fired a corner from the right side and the ball met Sebastian Gaese who headed it home.
 
Once more in the first half, Kenyon scored. At 24:10, newcomer Johan Johannsson passed to Taylor along the left side and the senior scored again. By halftime, the Lords had taken 16 shots along with nine corners.
 
In the second stanza, the Lords' second and third wave of players displayed their skills. Hrafnkellson scored twice while freshman defender Minka Soumah and Scott Upton each scored.
 
Competition will take a big step up for Kenyon's next match. On September 3, the Lords will pay a visit to John Carroll University, a team that made last year's NCAA Tournament second round.