MADISON, N.J. – Junior forward Andrew Ruane netted his first career hat trick and led the FDU-Florham men's soccer team to a crucial 5-3 victory over Misericordia University on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Devils (8-7-1, 4-2 MAC Freedom) moved into second place in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom standings and knocked the Cougars (7-6-2, 3-2-1 MAC Freedom) down to fifth place.

The top four teams qualify for the conference tournament and both squads have one more MAC Freedom contest remaining.

The Devils will take on top-seeded and nationally-ranked Eastern University in their conference regular season finale next Saturday, October 31 at 2:30 p.m. in St. Davids, Pa.

With their first shot attempt of the game, the Cougars opened the scoring as Chris Edkins fired a blast that clobbered the inside of the right post and narrowly crossed the goal line. Edkins' strike came just 2:02 into action.

Ruane came through with the Devils' first goal at the 8:44 mark when he captured a through ball from Shawn Jennings behind the Cougars' defense and shot it to the opposite corner of the net resulting in a 1-1 game.

The scoring continued minutes later when Matt Norcini received an entry pass from Niko Amity and knocked in the Cougars' second goal.

Jennings netted the equalizer for the Devils in the 32^nd minute after Chaz Armand broke through and had a one-on-one with Cougar goalkeeper Matt Smith. Armand's shot attempt was saved by Smith but it caromed out to Jennings, who was charging down the wing, and he promptly sent it into the back of the net for his first goal of the season. Jennings' goal capped a first half in which the Devils attempted 10 shots.

At the 63 minute mark, Ruane put the Devils in front for good when he received a lead pass from Armand and fired a blast across his body and past a diving Smith. The momentum continued to favor the Devils and 1:42 later, Ruane returned the favor by sending a ground cross to Armand, who slid in on his back and knocked a shot to the near corner of the net, which gave the Devils a 4-2 advantage.

Ruane completed the hat trick in the 74^th minute thanks to a feed from Jose Guardado in the box that he immediately desposited into the back of the net. The junior midfielder now has eight goals on the campaign.

Nick Mihalik made three stops in net for the Devils to earn the victory.