BRONX, N.Y. – Lehman College men's soccer senior Ronniel Mendez scored three goals and added an assist on Wednesday night, as the Lightning topped the University of Valley Forge, 6-1. The Lightning scored two goals in the first half and added four more in the second to earn the convincing victory.

Mendez (Mantanzas, Cuba/Miami Southridge) scored his first goal of the season, on a header, just 5:08 into the match, to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, he tallied his second goal, on a feed from senior midfielder Abraham Enahoro (Lagos, Nigeria/E.G.S.) to give Lehman (1-5) a two-goal advantage. In the second half, he earned the hat-trick by scorching the ball past Valley Forge's (1-6) goalkeeper to give Lehman a 6-0 lead, with 19:20 remaining.

Freshman forward Gentian Muhaxheri (Bronx, N.Y./Bedri Pejani, Kosovo) had a productive night, as he scored his first two collegiate goals. His first was a breakaway just over ten minutes into the second half. His second tally came less than two minutes later, as Mendez setup Muhaxheri, who was able to rip the ball into the net from 15 yards out, to give Lehman more breathing room.

Senior midfielder Jonathan Moallem chipped in with a goal and an assist. Freshman midfielder Irvin Rivera (New York, N.Y./Manhattan Center) and Enahoro each registered an assist of their own.

 Sophomore goalkeeper Jesus Marin (East Harlem, N.Y./Manhattan Village Academy) made three saves to earn the win.

The Lightning will travel to Brooklyn on Saturday, as Lehman will open the CUNY Athletic Conference portion of their schedule, at Medgar Evers College. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.