Senior Chris Richards recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Muhlenberg men's soccer team to a big 5-1 win at Dickinson.

With three Centennial Conference games remaining in the regular season, the Mules (6-5-3, 3-1-2) are in a two-way tie for third place in the CC. The Mules close out with games against the teams at the top (Johns Hopkins, 5-0-1) and bottom (Ursinus, 0-6) of the standings, as well as Gettysburg, right in the middle at 2-2-2.

The five goals are the most scored by Muhlenberg in a CC game since the 2012 finale at Ursinus. The Mules have scored eight goals in their last two CC games - more than any other CC team has netted in league games all season.

After Muhlenberg spotted the Red Devils (6-6-2, 2-3-1) an early goal, Richards took over matters, scoring three straight by the end of the half. It was the Mules' first hat trick since 2012 and their first where all three goals were scored in the first half since 1997.

Richards now has 29 career goals, with eight of his 10 tallies this season coming in CC games.

Muhlenberg tied the game when Richards converted a penalty kick after senior Taylan Akdag drew a foul in the box with 18:45 remaining in the half. With 6:17 on the clock, Richards took a pass from sophomore Kevin Adams, dribbled through three Dickinson defenders and finished from inside the box to give the Mules their first lead.

Richards completed his hat trick with a backbreaking goal just 79 seconds before halftime, burying a free kick after senior Francois D'Elia drew a foul just outside the box.

Muhlenberg cemented the win with two late goals in the second half. D'Elia (pictured above) netted the first, running onto a long ball from Adams and one-timing it past the Dickinson goalie in the 73rd minute. And with just 1:36 to play, sophomore Jason Edelstein drilled a shot from the top of the box inside the far post for his first career goal.

The Mule defense allowed only one shot on goal in the final 79 minutes, none in the second half.