ASTON, Pa. - Through four games, the Neumann University men's soccer team could not buy a break offensively. Despite a bevy of scoring chances in each game including several balls off the woodwork and a few miraculous saves by opposing keepers, the team remained snake-bitten heading into today's matchup versus Stevenson University. That would all change though as the Knights found the back of the net five times in a 5-2 victory over the Mustangs.
 
Junior forward Jake McDevitt had a hand in all five goals, registering a hat trick while also notching two assists. Freshman Nick Testa registered his first collegiate goal and also chipped in an assist.
 
The game didn't start as planned for Neumann, as a shaky start resulted in an early 1-0 deficit on a Stevenson penalty kick. The Knights found their legs and would finally breakthrough late in the first half, as McDevitt used a slick back heel to set up Christian Cortese for the equalizer in the 31st minute. Neumann kept pressing and found its second goal of the match just five minutes later.

Freshman Tyler Williams served a fantastic cross that found McDevitt, who ripped a half volley into the upper-90 to give the Knights their first lead of the season. Testa capped off the first half scoring, tacking a third goal onto the scoreboard on a feed from McDevitt with just over three minutes left in the half to give the Knights a 3-1 lead into halftime.
 
Neumann continued the second half right where it left off, as McDevitt got loose behind the Stevenson defense just 34 seconds into the period and tucked a ball away for the Knights fourth goal. The junior forward would finish off his hat trick just three minutes later, as he outpaced the Mustang backline and ripped a ball past the keeper to make it 5-1. All five goals for Neumann were scored in a span of just sixteen minutes.

Stevenson would add a late goal on a penalty kick, but the Knights would hold on for the win. Keeper Shane Smith made nine saves in net for Neumann.
 
Neumann (1-4) is back in action on Saturday as it hosts Salisbury University. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM.