WASHINGTON – Sara Morales recorded her second collegiate hat trick, powering the Notre Dame of Maryland University offense in a 6-2 victory at Gallaudet to begin the 2022 season on Friday night.

Anna Choudhary added a goal and two assists, while Emma Alascia and Shyan Chenoweth also scored for the Gators, who won their fourth-consecutive season opener. Makaylah Reyes finished with one save while making her collegiate debut in goal.

Choudhary opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, scoring her second goal as a Gator. NDMU doubled its lead less than 10 minutes later, as Mackenzie Lookingland set up Alascia in the center of the box. Alascia fired a low shot past goalkeeper Payton DeGraw for her first collegiate goal.

Morales' first strike was a long-range effort in the 27th minute, and she added insurance tallies eight minutes apart midway through the second half. The last of her three goals was the 10th of her career; her previous hat trick came three years ago during a 7-0 victory over Trinity College.

Chenoweth, making her NDMU debut, scored her first collegiate goal in the 57th minute after she was led in on a fastbreak by Choudhary. Lookingland added a second assist on Morales' second goal of the contest.

The Gators finished the night with dominant advantages in both shots (25-5) and corner kicks (9-0). NDMU returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Trinity in its home opener on Alumnae Field at 4 p.m.