EWING, N.J. - The TCNJ men's soccer team put together an offensive clinic on Wednesday night en route to defeating defending NJAC champion Kean by a score of 5-2. 

Junior Luke Pascarella paved the way to victory for the Lions with his first career hat-trick. He had two goals in the first half and one in the second, becoming the first TCNJ player to score three times in the same game since Ryan Vazquez in September of 2018. 

The first goal for Pascarella came just six minutes into the game when Justin Dominique was fouled in the box. The Lions opted for Pascarella to take the penalty kick and he was able to capitalize.

The second goal came in the 16th minute when Dominique sent a low running pass across from the right flank. Pascarella put a shot on goal which was deflected by the goalkeeper right back to him to send another strike, this time into the back of the net.

Pascarella polished off the hat-trick in the 61st minute when Joseph Schlageter stepped in front of a Kean player to cut the ball off and pass to Pascarella, who sent a missile from the 25-yard line soaring over the jumping goalie and into the back of the net. 

A pair of freshmen, David Anderson and Massimo Rodio, tacked on the other two goals to round out the scoring for the Lions. The goal for Anderson was the first of his career as a Lion and was assisted by Rodio. Another rookie, Colin Kenville, was credited with the assist on Rodio's goal, which extended the lead to 4-0 early in the second half.

TCNJ scored five goals on nine shots compared to two goals on 16 shots for the Cougars.

Julian Franco made three saves for the Lions, including one on a penalty kick that occurred just 10 seconds after Pascarella had given the visitors an early 2-0 advantage. Walker Smith came on in the 81st minute and made one save. 

Wednesday's win marks the first for the Lions at Kean University since 2013. 

The men's soccer team is back in action with another NJAC matchup Saturday at William Paterson starting at 1:00 PM.