The Muhlenberg men's soccer team played its most complete game of the season, scoring early in both halves in a 3-0 home shutout of Swarthmore.

The win kept the Mules (5-4-3, 2-1-2) undefeated at home this season and lifted them into a three-way tie for third place in the Centennial Conference with three weeks to play in the regular season. It was the first time Muhlenberg defeated Swarthmore by a three-goal margin since the 2005 CC semifinals.

Muhlenberg came into the game having scored only four first-half goals all season but got a quick jump on the Garnet (6-4-2, 1-3-1), netting a goal just 4:18 after the opening whistle. Junior Andrew Gaines, making his first start of the season, sent a left-footed diagonal cross from the center line to the middle of the field. Senior Chris Richards beat two Swarthmore backs to the ball and chipped it over the head of the onrushing Garnet goalie.

The Mules made it 2-0 in the 25th minute when Richards (pictured above) converted a penalty kick after Swarthmore was called for a hand ball in the box.

The multiple-goal game was the fifth for Richards, who now has 26 career goals, good for 15th place on the Mules' all-time list.

Muhlenberg extended its lead to 3-0 just 5:28 into the second half after sophomore Noah Pietila beat a defender in the corner and sent a cross into the box. A header by senior Greyson King was blocked, but senior Tayan Akdag collected the rebound and finished with a left-footed blast for his 15th career goal.

The Mules held the Garnet to only five shots, with freshman Ben Mulford making 3 saves, including a diving stop late in the second half, to record his third consecutive shutout.