The last time the Lancaster Bible College men's soccer team won its season opener, George W. Bush was the President of the United States and no current member of the Chargers had entered high school yet. The year was 2008 and on Aug. 30 of that year, the Chargers defeated Lesley, 1-0 in Cambridge, Mass. to improve to 1-0. Since that day, no Lancaster Bible team had ever been 1-0 - that is until, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. 

The Chargers erupted for four first-half goals, en route to a 5-1 victory over Pitt-Bradford at Charger Field on Friday and improved to 1-0 for the first time in nine years. 

How it Happened: Lancaster Bible had the majority of the chances throughout the game and though they came close a few times in the early stages of the contest, it wasn't until the 18:46 mark that the Chargers got on the board as sophomore Chad Tolson took a pass from Caleb Nelson and deposited his first collegiate goal into the back of the net. Less than eight minutes later, freshman Rama Mugisha joined Tolson in the goal column as he took a great pass from sophomore Kenny Akselsen and scored into the lower right-hand side of the goal.

Just seven minutes after Mugisha doubled the Chargers' lead, another freshman, Brandon Taylor, scored his first collegiate goal as Taylor kicked the ball into the air and it took a large bounce over the charging goalkeeper and went into the back of the net. Ugwunna Amadi's first goal of the year at 39:26 got Pitt-Bradford back within two goals, but junior Caleb Nelson restored Lancaster Bible's three-goal lead with just 35 seconds remaining in the half as he controlled the ball past the Pitt-Bradford goalkeeper who charged out at him and then drilled a shot past a defender trying to guard the goal.

Nelson added his second goal of the game at 54:32 off a header as he took a pass from Edward Bills in the box. Nelson's goal at 54:32 proved to be the only goal of the second half as the Chargers played well for a full 90 minutes.

By the Numbers: Lancaster Bible held a 20-9 lead in shots, including 12-2 in shots on goal...The Chargers also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks...Nelson finished with a career-high five points, as he also set a career-high with two goals...Akselsen's assist on Mugisha's goal was the first collegiate point of his career...Bills now has 12 career assists, which moves him into a tie for 20th place all-time in program history...Senior Thiago Naque made just one save, but earned the victory for the Chargers.

The Coach Says: "I thought we had great energy from everyone," Lancaster Bible Head Coach Tom Ardt said. "We attacked well together for the most part, considering it was the opening game. We have some things to sort out defensively, but it was a pretty consistent, collective effort. We can't dwell too much on this as tomorrow is a tough test against Ramapo."

Information Hodge Podge: Lancaster Bible is now 1-0 all-time against Pitt-Bradford as Friday was the first matchup between the teams...Ardt's career record is back to .500 as he is 58-58-13 over 6+ seasons...Since 2000, the Chargers have won just four season-opening games (2000 vs. Baptist Bible East, 2003 at Boston Baptist; 2008 at Lesley; 2017 vs. Pitt-Bradford)...The last time a Lancaster Bible player had a hat trick was Sept. 15, 2011 when Taylor Dooley netted three goals in a 5-0 win over Penn St. Berks...The five goals scored were the most for the Chargers since Lancaster Bible defeated Gallaudet, 5-0 last season on Oct. 5...The last time Lancaster Bible scored four goals in a half was Sept. 22, 2015 when the Chargers scored four in the first half, en route to a 5-0 win over Clarks Summit.

Up Next: Lancaster Bible hosts Ramapo on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Charger Field...The Roadrunners lost to Penn St. Harrisburg, 3-0 on Friday in Middletown, Pa.