Wade Aitken-Palmer

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- The UMR men's soccer team recorded its third straight shutout victory to open the 2007 season Sunday, beating a good Northeastern State team 1-0 to wrap up its weekend in the Truman State Classic.

The Miners made Wade Aitken-Palmer's unassisted goal late in the first half stand up as they improved to 3-0, the team's first 3-0 start since 2000. The team also got its third consecutive shutout win for the first time in nine seasons.

UMR did post three straight shutouts early in the 2005 season, but one of the three contests ended in a scoreless tie.

The game was scoreless until Aitken-Palmer, a redshirt sophomore, converted a chance at the 42:18 mark to put the Miners up 1-0. UMR had controlled play in the opening half as it outshot the RiverHawks 7-1 and had both corner kick opportunities.

UMR's defense took care of the rest as only one shot of NSU's seven shots reached goalkeeper Tom Lawton. Lawton turned that one chance away and got his first career shutout.

The Miners outshot the RiverHawks 17-7 for the game and had all six of the game's corner kicks.

UMR will open Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday when it hosts Drury in a 7:30 p.m. game at the UMR Soccer Field.