MIDWAY, Ky. – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College men's soccer struck early and never trailed, earning a 3-1 victory over Midway University on Thursday night in the River States Conference opener at Midway Turf Field.

The Pomeroys (3-7-0, 1-0-0 RSC) got on the board in the 11th minute when Marc Valderrama scored his first goal of the season off an assist from Andoni Ybanez. Just before halftime, Jaime Gayol Pertierra netted his team-leading fifth goal to send SMWC into the break with a 2-0 advantage.

Coming out of the half, Ivan Gelado Chavala made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring his fourth of the season in the 49th minute to stretch the margin to 3-0. Midway (2-4-1, 0-1-0 RSC) broke through in the 65th minute on an own goal, but the Pomeroys' back line and goalkeeper Harry Jackson held firm the rest of the way.

Statistically, SMWC finished with seven shots, four of them on target, converting three into goals. Valderrama, Gayol Pertierra, and Gelado Chavala each recorded at least one shot on goal, while Ybanez tallied his first assist of the year in a 90-minute effort.

Midway managed seven total shots but was limited to just one shot on target. The Eagles' goalkeeper Landon Sorrell recorded one save while allowing three goals.

The victory gives SMWC its first conference-opening win since joining the River States Conference. The Pomeroys now shift their focus to Saturday's matchup at Oakland City University. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (CT) at Goebel Soccer Complex in Evansville, Ind.