CHARLESTON, S.C. – Sophomore Devyn Nyhart recorded a hat trick in the second period alone as The Citadel women's soccer team easily defeated South Carolina State 5-1 in a preseason exhibition game at Washington Light Infantry Field Monday afternoon.

Game Information
Score: The Citadel 5, South Carolina State 1
Location: WLI Field, Charleston, S.C.

Key Plays (Scoring Summary)
Period 1, 26' – Hayley Long chipped in a goal from outside the box off an assist from Logan Dix.
Period 1, 28' – S.C. State answered with a goal of their own.
Period 2, 5' – Nyhart scores on a breakaway off a feed from Maria Contreras to put the 'Dogs up 2-1.
Period 2, 8' – Dix took a chip shot from Nyhart and scores after the goalie overshot the feed.
Period 2, 13' – Nyhart scored her second goal of the match off a pass from Dix, who made a run down the near side.
Period 2, 22' – Nyhart recorded the hat trick as she cleaned up a deflected save after the S.C. State keeper saved a shot from Ellie Burgess.

How it Happened

• The game was divided into three 30-minute periods.
• The Bulldogs opened the game with two quick shots from Burgess and Dix before the two teams settled down into a good rhythm.
• With 11:00 to play in the first period, the homestanding Bulldogs held a 4-0 advantage in shots.
• With just over 5:00 to play in the first period, Long gave The Citadel the early 1-0 lead, but S.C. State was able to tie the game back up a few minutes later.
• The 'Dogs broke the game wide open in the second period with four goals.
• The two teams traded shots back and forth over the final 30 minutes, as The Citadel finished the game with 19 shots compared to six by S.C. State.

Next Up
The Bulldogs will next head to Buies Creek, N.C., to take on Campbell on Friday, Aug. for a 5 p.m. preseason exhibition.

The Citadel's annual Fall Meet The Bulldogs event is set for Aug. 24 inside Johnson Hagood Stadium. The event, which is free and open to the public, is set for 10 a.m.-noon, and is sponsored by Pepsi and TD Bank.

The event features an opportunity for fans to meet and get autographs from cadet-athletes and coaches from The Citadel's football, soccer and volleyball programs. The two-hour event also gives fans an opportunity for activity stations on the field, Pepsi product giveaways, photo opportunities, face painting and playing in the jump castle.

The Bulldogs will officially open the 2019 season in Greenville, South Carolina against Bob Jones on Thursday, Aug. 22, before traveling to Savannah, Georgia to take on Georgia Southern at the Armstrong Soccer Field on Sunday, Aug. 25 The 'Dogs will open the home season on Friday, Aug. 30 with a 4 p.m. game against North Dakota before hosting Navy on Sunday, Sept. 1 at high noon.

For more information and score updates on The Citadel soccer team, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelWSoccer and @CitadelSports on Twitter and Instagram.

Membership in The Citadel Brigadier Foundation is open to alumni and friends of The Citadel who are interested in supporting Bulldog athletics. By joining, you provide annual charitable contributions that fund scholarships for cadet-student-athletes. Supporters interested in joining TCBF or for more information, please click here.