The Muhlenberg men's soccer team got its 2019 season off to a rousing start, scoring twice in each half for a 4-1 win at Susquehanna.

The four goals were the most scored by the Mules in their opener since a 5-0 home win against Marywood in 2010. They hadn't netted four goals in a season-opening road win since 1990.

Freshman Chris Richards made some history of his own, scoring twice in the first game of his career. He is the first Muhlenberg freshman with two goals in a season opener since Graham Lewis in 1989.

The Mules nearly scored the first goal of the game with about 15 minutes left in the first half when senior Erich Buerkert stole a pass and fed senior Matthew Athanas-Linden for a 1-v-1 with the goalie. Athanas-Linden ripped a shot that the keeper saved twice, first by deflecting it and then by reaching back at the last second to keep it from crossing the goal line.

Six minutes later, Buerkert (pictured above) broke the ice by depositing a shot in the upper-right corner for his first career goal.

Richards scored the next two goals, one late in the first half to make it 2-0 and one late in the second half to extend Muhlenberg's lead back to two after the River Hawks had gotten one back. The clinching goal came with 2:56 remaining after Buerkert intercepted a pass near midfield and pass to sophomore Stephen Carton, who found Richards in the middle with only the goalie to beat.

Richards played a role in the final goal as well, drawing a foul outside the box with 1:03 left. Senior Kevin Hagan blasted home the free kick for his sixth career goal.