Junior Ian Walsh (, ) notched his first career hat trick, and several other players enjoyed multiple-point games as the Redhawks cruised past the Howard University Bison, 9-1, Sunday morning in men’s soccer action at the Hensor/Zaher Memorial Diadora Classic hosted by at Paul Lorenz Field.
Sean Morris () started the scoring in the third minute of the match, sending a shot into the lower left corner of the net. The combination of Walsh and Andrew Kreiter () accounted for the next two goals in a 20-second span. The first came on a header by Walsh off a pass from Kreiter in the 18th minute, and then Kreiter again set up Walsh in the 19th minute.
After Rotimi Iziduh scored for the Bison 32 seconds after Walsh’s second goal, the action calmed down until the 38th minute, when Lamar Kumangai-McGee () scored his first career goal on a cross from the far right side of the field. That would end a half in which outshot Howard, 11-1.
Just over nine minutes into the second half, Mutanda Kwesele (, ) set up Kyle Peterman () for the freshman’s first career goal. Walsh would complete his hat trick with a goal in the 77th minute off an assist from C.J. Hamel (). The Bison could not stop the Redhawks’ offensive attack, as Luis Gamez () scored with just over six minutes remaining in the match, and then set up Kwesele for another goal with 4:41 remaining. Hamel finished off the scoring by converting on a penalty kick with two minutes left in the second half.
(0-4) only took three shots in the match and did not earn a corner kick opportunity while giving up seven corner kicks to the Redhawks. Bison goalie Adisa Bekoe was credited with two saves, while his teammates also earned a team save. goalie Jordan Jennings () did not pick up a save in the match but did earn the victory.
The nine goals were the most scored by the men’s soccer team since an 8-0 shutout at during the 2006 season. The Redhawks are now 3-0 against Division I schools so far this season, with all of the matches taking place at neutral sites.
(3-1) heads to next weekend for two matches, first facing Friday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. local time, followed by a contest against Florida Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 13, also at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The Redhawks’ next home match is Saturday, Oct. 4, against Cal State Bakersfield at 12 noon at Championship Field.