WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Sophomore William Eskay netted his first career hat trick and led the William & Mary men's soccer team to a 4-2 victory in its home opener against Liberty on Tuesday night at Martin Family Stadium. With the decision the Tribe improves to 1-1-0 on the season, while the Flames drop to 1-1-0.

Freshman Ryder Bell scored his first career marker, which proved to be the game-winner for the Green and Gold. Junior Reilly Maw also had a big night assisting on all three of William Eskay's tallies.

W&M wasted little time getting things started, striking for the match's first goal in the opening minute. Off the opening kickoff, Maw found a cutting William Eskay near the goalline.  The sophomore finished in the high middle of the goal, to give the Tribe an early 1-0 advantage.

The first minute marker was the lone goal in the first half for either side.  The Tribe maintained the possession for a good portion of the half, and finished with a 9-3 advantage in shots.

For the second time on the night the combination of Maw and William Eskay connected on a goal. This time with some help from redshirt junior Jeff Bombelles, who found Maw, before he dished it off to William Eskay. The Urbana, Maryland native finished his second goal in the lower left corner, moving the score to 2-0.

The Tribe looked to put itself up comfortably with its third marker of the night in 69th minute. Redshirt sophomore Alfonso Speed Jr. lofted a ball into the box that found the head of senior Ryan Flesch. Flesch flicked his header to the front of the net, where Bell was waiting. The freshman was able to beat both the Flames keeper and a defender, lifting the Green and Gold to a 3-0 lead.

Liberty didn't fold, and made the game interesting with a pair of goals down the stretch. The first came off of a penalty kick in the 74th minute. After a foul in the box, Tim Harbison lined up the PK and finished, cutting the Tribe lead to 3-1.

Things got interesting in 81st minute, as the Flames cut the lead to a single goal. Off of a free kick, Kurt Myers sent a dangerous ball into the box. The service found a sliding Nicolas Bellarade, who placed the ball into the net.

However the Tribe responded in the 88th minute with a goal and ended all doubt. Maw again sprinted up the pitch and sent a perfect cross to the right of the goal, where William Eskay was waiting. Like the two times before, William Eskay knew what to do and finished into the lower left corner.

William Eskay's first career hat trick was the first hat trick for the College since the 2010 season. The last hat trick came from Nicholas Abrigo, who netted three goals in the CAA Championship on November 14, 2010 against Hofstra.

The Green and Gold ended up holding a 17-8 advantage in shots, including a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. Maw led the Tribe with five shots, while Bell registered a career-high four shots.

Redshirt junior Mac Phillips made his second straight start in goal for the College. He faced eight shots and made one save.

The Tribe returns to action when they travel to No. 4 North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 4. Kickoff between the Green and Gold and Tar Heels is set for 7 p.m.