Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's soccer team, ranked No. 4 in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll, scored three goals in the final 20 minutes of the game to put away Spring Arbor University by a score of 4-0 on Saturday night at Evan Davis Field in the final game of the D. Wayne Evans Classic.

Rio Grande (3-0) peppered the goal all game long, but had trouble finishing. The RedStorm would get 32 shots off on the night with 16 on goal. Rio finally broke through in the 30^th minute on a free kick from junior forward Joel Thiessen (Newcastle, Australia). As it would turn out that would be the only goal the RedStorm would need on the night.

The 1-nil advantage held until Rio Grande added an insurance goal in the 70^th minute. Sophomore forward Richard Isberner (Sao Paulo, Brazil) found the back of the net after receiving a great feed from sophomore forward Scott Bibby (Doncaster, England).

Rio Grande was not finished as they continued to pressure the Spring Arbor defense. Bibby broke through with his first marker of the season in the 74^th minute. Senior midfielder Dylan Williams (Bangor, Wales) assisted on the Bibby goal.

Rio would close out the scoring in the 80^th minute on a goal by sophomore midfielder/forward Oliver Hewitt-Fisher (Swansea, Wales). Freshman midfielder/defender Mike Torbert (Annandale, VA) was credited with the assist. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi (Ottawa, Canada) recorded his second shutout of the season. He notched one save in the game.

Rio Grande head coach Scott Morrissey was pleased to get the victory and he credited Spring Arbor for their effort in the game. "I think they deserve a lot of credit," Morrissey said. "Spring Arbor played a much, much different game tonight against us than what we watched yesterday against Notre Dame. They brought a lot more intensity, played a lot quicker, tempo was a lot better for them and I think for us, we were a little slow out of the gate."

"We had a stretch in the first half where I thought the tempo was good," Morrissey added. "Then we kind of let off after we scored the goal. It was a good result. I think the second half, we really played well, put them under a lot of pressure, lots of opportunities and if the final ball is a little bit better for us we would have finished a lot more chances."

"Nonetheless it was still a good result," he said.

Morrissey thought fatigue played a factor as Rio Grande had played three games in four days to open the season. "I'm sure it was a factor because these guys are probably really tired, I'm sure they are, they've worked hard and they deserve a break and they're going to get one," he said. 

Spring Arbor goalkeeper Ryan Stephens had 12 saves in the game. The Cougars fall to 0-2 on the season.

Rio Grande will have a week off before they hit the pitch again. 

NAIA No. 7 Notre Dame College won the first game of the day, shutting out Grace College by a 5-0 score. 

The RedStorm will tangle with Shawnee State in the Mid-South Conference opener next Saturday (September 4) at Evan Davis Field with a 7 p.m. kick-off. 

Ihigh.com will provide a live video stream of the game.