MEN’S SOCCER

Behind Pablo Garcia’s hat trick, the HU men’s soccer team picked up a 4-2 road win over Marian Saturday afternoon at St. Vincent Field.

It’s the second straight contest that a Forester has struck for three goals. Against #RV IWU on Wednesday, Higor Barbieri finished with a hat trick on the way to a 5-4 HU win.

For Garcia, it’s his second straight game to find back netting. His goal total for the season is five.

Huntington doubled up the Knights in shots taken 26-13. The Foresters cashed in for two goals on their first three shots in the opening five minutes with Joao Ratinho kicking things off less than two minutes in. Garcia then started his scoring rampage at the 4:01 mark to put HU up 2-0.

Marian got one back in the 35th minute but Garcia made it his mission to put the game out of reach by scoring twice in the three minutes that followed. Jack Reynolds scored MU’s second goal and the game’s only second half goal to wrap up the day’s offense.

“The start we got off to was fantastic,” said Coach Russ Lawson. “We were opportunistic with our chances and buried them in the first half to put them on their heels.

“And then I thought we did what we needed to do in the second half to get the victory. I’m excited for the boys, not only for what they’ve accomplished so far this season but for what’s to come.”

The win moves Huntington to 10-4-1 overall which includes a 3-2-1 record in CL action. Next up is a trip to Mishawaka to face #9 Bethel on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.