Emory University senior Zach Samuels recorded the 36^th hat trick in the program's history on Saturday, lifting the Eagles to a 3-0 win over Berry College in the school's Homecoming game at the Woodruff Physical Education Center.

Samuels, who now leads all Emory scorers with four goals and nine points this season, gave the Eagles a first half lead with an unassisted goal in the 31^st minute of play.  The co-captain dribbled into the box, and made a move around a defender to set up a one-on-one with the keeper, launching a shot towards the far post and into the back of the net.

The score remained 1-0 until the 58^th minute, when junior Alistair Moore chipped a ball into the air in front of the net that Samuels was able to head into the goal for his second score of the contest.  It was the first assist of Moore's Emory career.

In the 82^nd minute, freshman Javier Puga set up Samuels with a perfect pass just outside of the box.  Samuels collected the ball, shooting just out of the reach of the diving keeper and off the far post, ricocheting the ball into the goal and giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead.

Emory's defense turned in another solid performance as well, picking up its third shutout of the season, all of which have come in the past four games.  The shutout was preserved early on with a tone-setting play from outside back Andrew Natalino, who headed a David Shaw shot off the goal line in the 19^th minute.  It was one of just three shots on goal during the game for the Vikings.

Eagles' keeper Alex Wong improved to 4-1-0 on the season, making a pair of saves en route to his second shutout of the year. 

The Eagles will now turn their attention towards University Athletic Association (UAA) play, as Emory will head to the University of Chicago next Saturday for a 12:00 PM conference match up with the Maroons.

Emory Notes
Samuels' hat trick was the first by an Eagle since Nao Masuda picked one up on October 29^th, 2010 against the University of Rochester… It was the third multiple-goal game of Samuels' career, and his first since he scored two goals and one assist at Maryville College on October 23^rd, 2009… Puga is now tied with Natlino and Zachary Rosenberg for the team lead with three assists this season… The Eagles outshot Berry 19-13, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal… Emory took six corner kicks to Berry's four, including a 5-2 edge in the first half… Samuels and sophomore Andrew Jones each took a team-high four shots in the game.