BUENA VISTA, Va. – Led by Chris Teerlink's hat-trick, the Southern Virginia University men's soccer team defeated the visiting Gallaudet University Bison on Saturday afternoon by the score of 5-1. The win pushes the Knights to 4-1 on the season, which marks the best start in program history.

Southern Virginia dominated possession early in the match, firing four shots on goal within the opening ten minutes of play. However, the Knights found themselves in an unexpected hole after Gallaudet scored on their first shot of the match, taking a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

Southern Virginia responded quickly, firing several more shots on goal before Teerlink evened the score for the Knights in the 29th minute on a penalty kick after Gallaudet had been whistled for a handball in box. The Knights continued to apply pressure throughout the first period and finally took the lead just before the half, as Teerlink redirected a beautiful header from Garrett Coffman for his second goal of the match. The Knight defenders also played a large part in Southern Virginia's comeback, allowing the Gallaudet Bison only one additional shot in the first half after their initial goal.

The second half was controlled by Southern Virginia, who went on to score three more goals in the period without allowing Gallaudet a single shot. Teerlink completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute with his team-leading seventh goal of the season. Teerlink also assisted Brady Johnson's first goal of the season in the 74th minute of play and Brandon Seeberger tallied his fifth goal of the season in the 79th minute, giving the Knights a 5-1 victory. Southern Virginia outshot Gallaudet 26-2 in the match.

The win pushes the Knights to 4-1 under new head coach Jedd Zaring, marking the best start to a season in Southern Virginia University men's soccer history. The Knights look to build on their strong start as they travel to face Penn College on Sept. 15. at 7 p.m.