WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University men's soccer team bounced back Wednesday evening with a 7-0 victory over University of Valley Forge in a non-conference match under the lights at a crisp, cool Hotchkiss Field.

Freshman forward Chad Johnson (Gardena, Calif.) recorded his first collegiate hat trick to lead Gallaudet (5-8) to its biggest win this season. Johnson scored twice, in under a minute span, midway through the first half to put GU up by a two-goal margin.

Johnson's first goal on the night came off a penalty shot at the 20:46 mark. The freshman striker then scored his 10th goal of the season, 54 seconds later, on a fast break opportunity off a great through ball by junior defender Elan Markel (University Park, Md.).

The Bison took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Gallaudet had to play a man down after it received a red card right before the half.

Senior midfielder Connor Baer (Union City, Calif.) scored his first goal of the season in the 52nd minute off an assist from Johnson. Baer scored on a hard, low shot into the right corner from 20 yards out. The duo reversed roles, two minutes later, as Johnson completed his hat trick on Baer's assist.

Freshman forward Dylan Christoffels (Methuen, Mass.) netted his first collegiate goal in the 64th minute off a double assist from Alton Markel (Buda, Texas) and Julien Cano (Avondale, Ariz.).

Freshman midfielder Kelly Grant (Hazelwood, Mo.) headed home Gallaudet's sixth goal in the 79th minute off a great free kick from senior defender Kevin Fitzpatrick (Hopatcong, N.J.), who booted the ball 60 yards towards the Patriots' goal. The ball took one bounce, in the goalie box, where Grant was positioned near the left post and placed his head on the ball and deflected it past Valley Forge (2-10) goalie Jacob Kelly (eight saves) into the net.

Christoffels capped Gallaudet's scoring in the 89th minute on a fast break goal, off an assist from Cano.

Freshman goalie Shane Angel (Mechanicsville, Md.) recorded his third shutout of the season as he made six saves.

BISON TRACKS

• Gallaudet played all 19 players in uniform
• GU doubled up Valley Forge on shots, 22-11
• The Bison took seven corner kicks
• Johnson led the team with 10 shots (seven shots on goal)
• Baer, Elan Markel, Cano earned their first assists of the season tonight
• Gallaudet's largest margin of victory since Oct. 28, 2017, when the Bison defeated St. Elizabeth by the same 7-0 score
• The Patriots made two team saves
• GU now 4-0 all-time against Valley Forge
• The Bison have outscored UVF 13-2 in four games since 2012

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will hit the road for two key North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) games this weekend. The Bison (3-5 NEAC) begin the trip at Morrisville State College (6-6-1, 5-2 NEAC) on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m.