LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Lauri Orava delivered a first-half performance to remember Thursday night, scoring a hat trick to help Christian Brothers University battle West Alabama to a thrilling 3-3 Gulf South Conference draw at the UWA Track and Soccer Complex.

The Buccaneers appeared to be in trouble almost immediately when West Alabama's Florian Laot found the back of the net just 2:21 into the match. CBU's response, however, came quickly — and it came through Orava.

In a span of just 40 seconds, the match completely changed.

Orava scored his first goal in the eighth minute, finishing an opportunity set up by AJ Bowman to level the match at 1-1. Just 40 seconds later, Orava struck again, this time off an assist from Christopher Armitage, suddenly giving CBU a 2-1 advantage.

But Orava wasn't finished.

In the 22nd minute, Olivier van der Tuin helped create another opportunity, and Orava delivered once again. His third goal completed the first-half hat trick and sent the Buccaneers into control with a 3-1 advantage.

Orava finished the night with three goals on four shots, putting three of those attempts on target and accounting for all six of his points. His hat trick powered a CBU attack that finished with 10 shots, including seven on goal.

The match took a dramatic turn late in the second half.

West Alabama continued to apply pressure and finally broke through in the 80th minute, when Oisin Griffin scored to trim CBU's advantage to 3-2. Just over four minutes later, David Nunez scored the equalizer, tying the contest at 3-3 with 6:24 remaining. Both second-half UWA goals were assisted by Yabsira Cobo.

CBU was forced to battle through the closing minutes, including playing down a man after Matthias Ran De Berg was shown a red card in the 87th minute. The Buccaneers held on through the final whistle to secure the conference point on the road.

Goalkeeper Grant Clothier finished with five saves in 90 minutes, including four in the opening half. West Alabama finished with a 14-10 advantage in total shots, while CBU put seven of its 10 attempts on frame.

The draw moved Christian Brothers to 3-5-3 overall and 1-2-3 in Gulf South Conference play.

For the Buccaneers, the night belonged to Orava. After CBU fell behind in the opening minutes, the forward answered with three goals before halftime, providing an explosive offensive performance that helped the Bucs leave Livingston with a hard-earned point.