OMAHA, Neb. - Peter Kelly scored in the first 10 minutes, and John Berner recorded his second shutout Friday as SIUE defeated Rutgers 1-0 in the opening game of the Ameritas Classic.

SIUE improved to 3-0 to start the season and is now set up for a Sunday clash against Akron, which is ranked No. 4 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.com and No. 7 by the NSCAA. Game time is noon.

Both SIUE and Rutgers, No. 13 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.com, finished with nine shots in the contest. SIUE Head Coach Kevin Kalish said neither team really controlled the flow of the game.

"The game had very little rhythm to it.  I thought both teams had their moments throughout the game and fortunately Peter finished a chance early in the game which allowed us to play with a lead for close to 80 minutes," Kalish said.

SIUE put up the only number that mattered, a goal at 9:36 of the first half.

Senior Kevin Stoll took advantage of a restart and served the ball to the near post for Kelly to head it in for his first goal of the season.

Berner faced pressure in the second half from Rutgers and made four of his five saves over the final 45 minutes. Rutgers goalkeeper Kevin McMullen picked up two saves in the loss.

"Berner made some quality saves when he needed to.  It was good to see him manage some difficult moments in the second half," said Kalish. "It was a good result against a top program.  I have a lot of respect for (Coach) Dan (Donigan) and I know they will go on to have a successful season."