Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Brazilian freshman Lucas Coutinho recorded a hat trick to spear the offensive charge for Palm Beach Atlantic University in a non-conference win against the Eckerd College men's soccer program on Saturday night at the Turley Athletic Complex, 4-0.
Coutinho had a hand in all the scoring after assisting the other Sailfish (6-1-1 overall) goal following his strikes in the 25th, 47th and 79th minutes, against the Tritons (3-6-2, 1-1 SSC).
The NCAA's leading scorer (points, goals), Kenny Hogg, scored his 15th goal of the fall season already as Palm Beach Atlantic extended its win streak to six straight. Eckerd took a short break from the Sunshine State Conference schedule after hosting Florida Southern College earlier this week.
The Tritons dueled the Sailfish to a brief scoreless defensive stretch from the onset in the first half, the lone shot in that early span a header from Hogg that clanged off the top of the crossbar.
Hogg was bracketed all night by a combined effort from senior
Seb Marley and sophomore
Eduardo Juarez to slow the senior Irish forward down. He was denied several good looks at the net, including a sprawling save from EC senior goalkeeper
Toni Virtanen as Hogg tried to slip one by using misdirection in the box.
Virtanen smothered up several more shots from the reigning Daktronics National Player of the Year/multiple All-American selection as the match progressed.
Hogg was only able to find the net after Virtanen charged out from the box to try and intercept a cross by Coutinho that gave the Sailfish a 3-0 edge.
But Coutinho, who already came into tonight's match ranked 16th nationally in goals per game, provided more than offensive firepower. Goals eight, nine and 10, on the year were spread out in both halves as he managed to create his own shot despite Eckerd defensive pressure.
Virtanen made four saves in tonight's match. His counterpart, Steven Bush, escaped a few close calls as the Tritons threatened to spoil the PBA shutout bid.
Junior forward
Matt Dolan blasted a shot that forced Bush to dive to his left as the ball just glanced off his glove padding. Sophomore
Tyler Allen slipped a pass inside to the center of the box with Bush out of position to sophomore
Richard Ainscough, but the shot sailed high of the crossbar.
The Tritons will head back into the SSC slate next Wednesday on the road at defending national champion Lynn University in Boca Raton. By virtue of an epic shootout, the Tritons ended the Fighting Knights' run in the 2012 SSC Championship semifinals.
Eckerd and Lynn are set to get underway next week at 3:30 p.m. or following the women's competition prior. When available, live stats and video feed links will be provided on EckerdTritons.com.
