The goals weren't highlight reel worthy, they weren't booming shots from 30 yards out, but they were quick and they provided the spark the Lancaster Bible College men's soccer team desperately needed. Taylor Dooley's first half hat trick propelled the Chargers to a 5-0 win over Penn St. Berks on Thursday at Charger Field, their first win of the season.

Dooley's barrage opened with a goal from 22 yards out after he dribbled down the middle of the field untouched. His shot beat Nittany Lions' goalkeeper Jonathan Jablonka on the right side to give LBC a 1-0 lead. After Cory Greiser was taken town in the box by Jablonka, Dooley took the ensuing penalty kick and made the score, 2-0 after placing the ball perfectly in the bottom left-hand corner. Three minutes later the hat trick was complete when Dooley took a quick free kick just outside of the box and scored.

"I've never scored a hat trick before," Dooley said. "I've been feeling good going to the goal and making the most of the opportunities given to me."

On Dooley's third goal, the free kick, many of the Penn St. Berks' players were surprised by how quickly he took the shot.

"The ref said I didn't need to wait for the whistle, so I asked him if it was OK to kick it and he said yes," Dooley said. "I saw the keeper was out a little bit and the ball did exactly what I hoped it would."

Just five minutes after Dooley gave the Chargers a 3-0 lead, Zach Kutz scored his first goal of the season on a great cross from Sean Westerlund. Senior Lawrence Lartey capped the scoring with 21:01 left putting the ball in the bottom right corner after another excellent cross from Westerlund.

"It's very helpful for these guys to know they can score and win," Chargers' Head Coach Tom Ardt said. "We still have lots of work to do and can be better, but it's great to get our first win of the season."

Dooley echoed his coach's sentiment.

"Today helps our confidence and now we know we can play with teams in this conference and score goals," Dooley said. "The whole team was itching to get a win."

With a 5-0 lead in the second half, Ardt emptied the bench and was pleased with what he saw from the bench players.

"The guys off the bench came in and the intensity never dwindled," Ardt said. "They played very well today."

Ardt was also happy with Kevin Forsyth and Cory Greiser's play.

"Kevin came in at the end of the first half and calmed a few things down for us and played well on the ball," Ardt said. "Greiser gave us great pressure on Penn St. Berks' defense."

LBC goalkeeper Jarrod Bergey made two saves to earn the win. Tim Landis played 28 minutes of the second half and recorded two saves as well.

The Chargers out shot the Nittany Lions, 28-6, including a 17-0 edge in the first half.

LBC [1-2-1, 1-1-1] has a few days off before facing Goucher on Tuesday at Charger Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.

Notes:
-Dooley's hat trick is the first for an LBC player since Greiser scored three goals in 9-1 Chargers' win over Williamson Trade on Oct. 5, 2009.

-Dooley had four career goals entering his senior year...he has five already in 2011.

-LBC scored five or more goals three times last season.

-The Chargers have defeated Penn St. Berks four straight times after losing the previous seven meetings.