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DENVER - Scott Grode (Gilbert, Ariz./Basha H.S.) recorded his first career hat trick on Friday evening, leading Metro State men's soccer to a season-opening 8-1 victory over Upper Iowa at home.  The Peacocks fell to 0-1-1 this season.

Grode had four two-goal games entering Friday, but found the net three times.  Sophomore Carlos Mendez (Denver, Colo./Broomfield H.S.) netted his first two-goal against Upper Iowa as well.

Chris Yoder (Gilbert, Ariz./Mesquite H.S.) opened the scoring 18:51 into the contest, firing a shot from the top of the box after taking a pass from Ryan Warren (Colorado Springs/Liberty H.S.).  Warren assisted on another goal less than a minute later as Mendez scored his first goal of the game.

Grode got into the books at 23:58 ripping a free kick from 25 yards.

Brenden Hughes (Fort Collins, Colo./Fossil Ridge H.S.) scored a goal at 35:10 and Scott Crawford (Arvada, Colo./Pomona H.S.) at 38:39 as five different players found the net in the first half for the Roadrunners.

UIU finally scored at 57:19 after a long breakaway as a Metro State defender misplayed the long pass from Peacock midfielder Tony Varnava, allowing Derek Oelmann a clear path to the net.

Grode scored the next two goals at 62:11 and 67:02 before coming off the field for the final 21 minutes.  Mendez added a goal at 83:25, a header off Kevin Pocalyko (Longmont, Colo./Longmont H.S.)'s corner kick.

Metro State outshot the Peacocks 26-6.

Transfer Shailer Thomas (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington H.S.) made three saves in goal to earn the win.

The two teams had to endure a 1-hour lightning delay with 4:58 left in the first half.

The Roadrunners will host University of Mary (N.D.) at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.