GRANVILLE-- Will Rudolph notched his first career hat trick as Denison posted a 4-0 shutout victory against visiting Muskingum University from Piper Stadium.

Rudolph got Denison on the scoreboard in the 25th minute when headed in a free kick from Jasdeep Khaira that was taken from just inside midfield.  The goal was the first of the season for Rudolph. 

Just minutes prior to the goal, a red card was issued to a Denison player, forcing the Big Red to play the remaining 68 minutes shorthanded.  Despite outshooting the Fighting Muskies 14-1 in the first half, DU was clinging to a 1-0 lead at the intermission.

In the 62nd minute, Henry Pohlman threaded a short pass across the box to Brenner Bodell who scored from 7-yards.  Two more goals were tacked on in the final 10 minutes as David Reina sent a lob from midfield that was controlled by Rudolph.  He settled the ball and scored quickly from 12-yards away giving DU a 3-0 lead.

With under a minute to play it was Rudolph who was taking Denison's 14th and final corner kick of the match.  That corner kick sailed into the box and was volleyed high in the air.  Rudolph followed the play and got a piece of the ball in the air.  That was enough to knock it into the net, completing the hat trick.

Denison (3-3-1) outshot Muskingum 25-2 while holding a 14-1 advantage in corner kicks.  Rudolph led DU with five shots while Pohlman followed with four.  Jack Thomas got the start in goal for the Big Red while Andrew Shediac played the second half.  Gabriel Kral finished with six saves in 90 minutes for the Muskies.

The Big Red returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they travel to Delaware, Ohio for a 7 p.m. kickoff against Ohio Wesleyan.