RIO GRANDE, Ohio - No. 2 Rio Grande (19-1-1) defeated St. Thomas (9-7-2) 5-1 in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Championships on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in cold, blustery conditions with temperatures dipping into the upper 30s, Rio Grande took advantage of its home field advantage opening up a 2-0 lead with back-to-back goals in the 15th and 17th minutes.

In the 28th minute, the Bobcats scored as Rio Grande allowed an own goal to make the score 2-1.

The Red Storm would score again in the 36th minute, then add on two insurance goals in the second half.

Harry Reilly led the Red Storm with a hat trick of three goals plus one assist.

The loss ended a season in which the Bobcats won The Sun Conference Tournament Championship and advanced to the NAIA National Championships for the first time since 2010.