CLEVELAND, Tenn. ----- Jack Watson tallied a hat trick and added an assist to lead No. 25 Lynn University past the Auburn Montgomery men's soccer team 9-1 in the opener of the Olive Garden Invitational, hosted by Lee University, Thursday.
NOTES
• The contest was the first of the season for both AUM and Lynn.
• With a goal in today's match, senior
Alan Harwell has scored at least once in all four of his season openers. He has scored six goals and added an assist in four openers.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
• Harwell led the Warhawks with his first goal of the season, tallying a team-best two shots in the loss.
• Sophomore
Alexandro Costa added the only other attempt for AUM.
• Freshman
Alexis Arriaga assisted on Harwell's goal for his first career point.
• Senior
Stephen Ingram tallied a pair of saves, while freshman
Jacob Bergengren recorded his first collegiate save in his collegiate debut.
• Watson led all players with four shots, three of which found the back of the net.
• Lynn's Tomer Bitton had three shots, including a goal, and an assist.
• Bruno Militz, Simon Kraemer and Alun Webb also had a goal and an assist for the Knights.
• Christian Wittmann assisted on two goals for the Knights.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Militz put Lynn on the board at the 20:08 mark of the first half, when he collected a loose ball and slid it past Ingram.
• Watson followed with two goals in a 4:29 span to up the Lynn lead to 3-0.
• Webb, Britton and Kraemer added first half goals, give the Knights a 6-0 halftime advantage.
• Watson netted the first goal of the second half just 1:44 in to complete the hat trick.
• Adam Hutchinson and Victor Moreira capped the scoring for the Knights with second-half goals.
• Harwell helped AUM avoid the shutout with a one-timer past Alexander Roth at the 88:12 mark of the match. Arriaga created the scoring chance with a chip in front of the goal.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Lynn outshot the Warhawks 24-3 in the contest.
• Seven different players scored goals for Lynn, while eight players notched assists.
QUOTING THE COACH
"I thought it was important for our guys to get a first-hand look at top-25 Division II soccer, which is why we formed such a tough schedule," head coach
Wulf Koch said. "We have a very young team, but we never quit and showed character throughout. At one point, we had nine underclassmen on the field, so I know we will learn a lot from this game. As we adjust to the speed and physicality of the game, I think we have the potential to do some very good things."
UP NEXT
• The Warhawks will look to pick up their first victory of the season Saturday, Sept. 3, when they take on Illinois-Springfield at 3:30 p.m. in the finale of the Olive Garden Invitational.
