BENNINGTON, Vt. - Sophomore Nick Shenberger scored twice in the first half and sophomore Brendan Byrne scored twice in the second half to lead the Bard College men's soccer team to a 5-1 victory over Southern Vermont in a non-league game on Friday afternoon.

The Raptors are 2--0 to start the season for the fourth time in school history, and for the first time since 2009.

Shenberger got the Raptors on the board in the 18th minute. Austin Higgins bent a direct kick around a wall of Southern Vermont defenders and hit the post, and Shenberger took a short feed from Byrne and put it home for a 1-0 lead.

About six minutes later, Higgins made it 2-0 when he put home a corner kick from John Flynn. Shenberger added a goal off an assist from Tamaki Chiba in the 31st minute, and it was 3-0 at halftime. The Raptors had a 12-1 edge in shots at the break.

Byrne scored a pair of goals within three minutes in the second half, the first off a short feed in the box from Shenberger, and the second unassisted when he chipped a shot over the keeper's head. It was 5-0 in the 54th minute.

Southern Vermont (0-1) got its goal in the 60th minute when freshman Kane Araujo (Vineyard Haven, MA) scored from the box off a corner kick.

Noah Chani (Hoosick Falls, NY) made six saves for the hosts. Daniel Gagne made three saves for Bard.

Bard's home opener against College of Mount St. Vincent scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled by the guests. It won't be made up. So Bard's next game is on the road at Mount St. Mary on Wednesday.

The last time Bard started a season 3-0? Never.