MARION, Ind. (Box Score) -- Senior forward Zach Grantham netted two goals in the first 15 minutes of the match as Indiana Wesleyan University men's soccer downed visiting Siena Heights (Mich.) University 3-1 Friday night at Wildcat Field.

Grantham quickly put the Wildcats in the lead with a score in the seventh minute. Siena Heights (3-3-1) quickly answered with the tying goal in the ninth minute. But Grantham put away his second go ahead goal with a tally in the 15th minute for a 2-1 advantage.

 "Getting the first goal early was very important for us so we didn't have to chase the game," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Mark Castro. "Siena Heights fought right back but we were able to respond with a really nice goal by Zach Grantham. His second goal of the night was just a tremendous goal."

"(Grantham) has been scoring in practice, but it doesn't really surprise us," continued Castro. "His right foot is just a laser. He's putting some balls away."

The early scoring fed the already raucous crowd at Wildcat Field. With already a large fan base in the bleachers, the Hodson Scotsmen made their 2011 debut to up the decibel levels on Friday.

"Tremendous atmosphere," stated Castro. "I just loved the buildup of the game with the (Hodson) Scotsmen all out, plenty of parents here and my son's Carmel United boys were here as well. As far as the venue, it was a perfect night for soccer."

Following three goals in the opening 15 minutes of play, only one goal was scored over the final 75 minutes. Senior forward Erik Johnson finished off a great scoring play by the Wildcats after a nice progression from junior midfielder Geoff Bowman and a cross from junior midfielder Lucas Carpenter in the 40th minute.

Indiana Wesleyan took the 3-1 advantage into halftime and neither team struck the back of the net in the second half.

"Pretty pleased with the goal production in the first half," said Castro. "Would have loved to have gotten some more in the second half. They came out hard in the second half and tried to get one back. But I think defensively we kind of locked it down. They really didn't get any tremendous looks at the goal."

"Work rate was pretty tremendous tonight. Just comes down to a little sharpness in the attacking half of the field. "

Indiana Wesleyan, receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 Poll, improves to 5-2-0 on the season and will return to the pitch tomorrow night. IWU hosts University of Saint Francis (Ill.) at 7 p.m.

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