Emory University junior Nao Masuda scored the Eagles’ second hat trick in as many games, and the Emory defense recorded its 12 shutout of the season, as the 14^th-ranked Eagles defeated the seventh-ranked University of Rochester 4-0 at the Woodruff P.E. Center on Friday night.

After a scoreless first half, Masuda broke the tie with his first goal of the game in the 58^th minute, placing a shot past the goalkeeper off a Christopher Howie corner kick.  It was the fourth assist of the season for Howie.

Masuda would strike again at the 74:04 mark, making a number of strong moves with the ball before launching a shot into the top corner of the goal.

After Nick Jones made the score 3-0 with his second goal of the year, redirecting an Andrew Natalino free kick, Masuda would put on the finishing touches in the 80^th minute.  Masuda was able to convert for the goal on a crossing pass from David Garofalo, for his third score of the game and eighth of the season.

The hat trick was the second in as many games for the Eagles, after Natalino notched one of his own against Maryville last Friday.  Masuda’s three-goal game was the 35^th in the program’s history.

Not to be outdone, the Emory defense recorded its second-straight shutout, holding Rochester to just nine shots, including just three on goal.  The team’s 12 shutouts this season are just one shy of the school single-season record, set during the 2005 campaign.   

The Emory defense was particularly strong in the second half, holding the Yellowjackets to just one shot.  Emory has now outscored its opponents 36-1 in the second half of games this season.

Goalkeeper Trenton Spindler earned his seventh shutout of the season, the third most in the history of the program.  Spindler improved to 12-1-2 with a 0.21 goals against average.  His save percentage of .954 is the best in Division III this season.

Emory improved to 13-1-2 overall this season with the victory, while Rochester dropped to 8-2-5 with the loss.  The Eagles also moved within striking distance of the UAA Title with a 2-1-2 conference record, just three points behind first-place NYU.

The Eagles will wrap up their regular season home schedule on Sunday, as the team will host Case Western Reserve University at 1:30 PM.  Prior to the game, Emory will honor its five graduating senior players  - Christopher Howie, Jake Graetz, Michael Scannapieco, Nathan McKeever and Adam Waxman – as part of the ‘Senior Day’ ceremonies.