WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2011 season got underway for the Gallaudet University men's soccer team on Friday afternoon at Hotchkiss Field against Washington Adventist University, a NCAA Division II program based out of Takoma Park, Md. The Bison hung tough with the visitors for one half as GU only trailed 1-0 but watched WAU pull away in the second half en route to an 8-0 non-conference victory before a crowd of 125.

Gallaudet (0-1) had a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the first half when a yellow card was given to a WAU player in the goalie box, which gave the Bison a penalty kick. Jean-Pierre Kanashiro (Springfield, Va.) took the penalty kick in the 32nd minute but pushed the shot wide of the net. The junior forward took three of Gallaudet's four shots in the game.

Washington Adventist (1-0) was led by a hat trick tallied by Zerubabbel Beyene, who took a game-high 12 shots, eight shots on goal. His three goals were all scored in the second half and within a 14-minute window. Allen Adeleke and Nkwangou Abanda scored two goals apiece in the win.

Freshman goalie Eric Setzer (Middletown, Md.) started and made 10 saves, allowed four goals in 65 minutes of work before giving way to sophomore Jordan Ramser (Louisville, Ky.) who made three saves and allowed four goals. WAU held a 36-4 shot advantage and took 13 corner kicks.

GU will next hit the road and head out to Front Royal, Va., on Monday, September 5, to go up against Christendom College in a non-conference contest at 5 p.m.