Box Score HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's soccer team got back on the winning track with a 4-2 non-conference home victory over Thiel College September 20. The Hawks created separation early in the game and responded with a late tally to clinch their second win of the season and their first victory over Thiel in the
Jeff Panik coaching era.
Hilbert sprinted out of the gate and jumped on the Tomcats.
Matt Hamister look a
Tyler Eister pass to the back of the net with only 138 ticks off the game clock. Less than one minute later, at 3:08,
Matthew Barth scored his second goal of the season with a Hamister feed to the top of the box. Hamister carried the ball and held on to it just long enough for Dalton Young to commit, then the junior forward dumped the ball to the box for Barth to tap home.
But that wasn't it, for at 8:36 the Hawks benefited from Hamister's sweet left-footed shot that he created after carrying the ball up the left side of the field after a
Garrett Rehner goal kick. The shot angled over the goal line and gave Hilbert a 3-0 lead before ten minutes had been played.
Thiel's Francis Ahia headed a served-ball past Hilbert's
Brandon Henry which gave Thiel hope before the period ended.
By intermission, Hilbert had out-played the Tomcats and doubled-up their shots and corner kicks.
The second forty-five minutes were Hilbert minutes. Though the shots and corner kicks leaned in the Tomcats favor, Hilbert had solid passing and great looks on offense and limited a Thiel come-back on defense. Multiple shots hit the cross bar or were high/wide out of excitement for an open look.
With less than five minutes to play, the Tomcats pushed the ball up the right side of field and crossed to the center of the box. Ahia was there to tip the ball in the frame which put a little scare in the Hawks sideline as they cut the score 3-2.
Insert the starters and ninety-seconds later, Hamister chipped a shot over the Thiel keeper who rushed the box to cut the angle. With that additional score at 87:23, Hamister earned seven points as Hilbert improved to 2-4-1.
Brandon Henry improved his win/loss record and was credited with two saves in 90 minutes for the Hawks.
Hilbert outshot the Tomcats 16-13 and played even in corners (4-4).
With a few days off, the Hawks return to action Tuesday, September 23 when they travel to Aurora, NY for a double-header non-conference match with the women's' team against Wells College at 4pm.
