WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senior Jean-Pierre Kanashiro (Springfield, Va.) placed the exclamation point on a thrilling come-from-behind men's soccer victory Thursday night when he scored his third goal late in the game between Gallaudet University and Valley Forge Christian College. A crowd of 315 at Hotchkiss Field witnessed Kanashiro's career night as the Bison won their second game in a row to start the 2012 season.

The Bison controlled much of the pace in the second half but they were unable to capitalize early on as they trailed by one, 2-1.  It was not until the 62nd minute that they were able to break through when Kanashiro scored his second tally of the night on a penalty kick that got the crowd back into it. His hat trick came in the 85th minute from 10 yards out. Valley Forge freshman goalie Alonzo Shockley (five saves) and a Patriot defender got a piece of the shot but it was not enough as the ball snuck between the goalie and the right goal post for the score.

Valley Forge (0-1) threatened with 40 seconds remaining in regulation as a 3-on-2 developed but sophomore goalie Eric Setzer (Middletown, Md.) capped off his four save night with a beautiful save on a rocket off the foot of Patriot freshman forward Kenny Eiler.

The Bison are 2-0 to start the season and have already matched their win total from a year ago. It is the second time in two seasons that the team has won two consecutive games; they did the same on Oct. 19 and Oct. 21 of last year. The contest also marked the first time the two schools met since Oct. 22, 2005, when Gallaudet came out on top, 3-0.

Valley Forge took a 2-1 lead into halftime despite the fact the Patriots were outshot by Gallaudet, 10-4. Kanashiro gave Gallaudet an early lead as he sped past the Patriot defense and scored breakaway goal on a nice assist from sophomore Karlis Intsons (Riga, Latvia), just five minutes into the contest. Valley Forge answered less than 20 minutes later, as Juan Declid took a Matt McKenzie pass from just outside the box and drilled it into the net for the equalizing goal.

The Patriots seized momentum 15 minutes later when a yellow card and handball within the goalie box led to Declid's second goal of the night on a penalty kick that he tucked in past the right goal post to give the Patriots a 2-1 advantage.

Gallaudet will host non-conference foe Bryn Athyn College on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. at Hotchkiss Field.