Statesmen Shut Out Faith Baptist Bible in Final Non-Conference Game of 2019
William Penn University Athletics
Altoona–Shalon Knight (So., Swetes Villages, Antigua and Barbuda) posted his first career hat trick as the William Penn men’s soccer team rolled over Faith Baptist Bible 6-0 in non-conference action Tuesday.
#16 WPU (9-3) dominated the matchup with a 36-2 edge in shots, including 25 on goal.
In a contest moved off of FBB’s campus due to unplayable field conditions, the visitors got on the board at the 8:01 mark as Eduardo Bonatto (Sr., Rio Grande, Brazil, Business Management) scored off a pass from Amgad Hassan (Sr., Falls Church, Va., Computer Science).
Bonatto doubled his goal total (now with a team-best 10) just over 10 minutes later with the assist being credited to Kenedy Deviska (So., Pignon, Haiti, Wellness and Recreation). Despite recording 16 attempts in the first 45 minutes of play, that was all the damage the navy and gold could muster by intermission.
The squad continued to press the Eagles after the break and found the sledding a bit easier, especially for Knight. But before the sophomore could get into the action, Lukas Koch (Fr., Moers, Germany, Undecided) made his presence known by scoring off a helper from Guiherme Lira (Jr., Sao Paulo, Brazil, Business Management) in the 49th minute. Koch now has three goals this fall.
The rest of the afternoon belonged to Knight as he had likely the best four minutes of his life. He made it 4-0 at the 55:51 juncture, and then added another tally at 57:16; both goals were unassisted. His performance concluded with his third and final score at the 59:44 mark as Hassan assisted yet again. The goals are the first three of the season for Knight.
The hat trick is the second of the campaign for a William Penn player as Bonatto accomplished the feat exactly two weeks ago against Grand View.
WPU ends its non-conference slate with a 5-2 record.
“Today’s game was exactly what we needed and has fully prepared us for tomorrow’s contest against Mount Mercy,” Head Coach Jaymee Highcock said. “We played some great soccer and were unlucky to not score more goals. We will take this form into conference play and look to get another win.”
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Wednesday, hosting Mount Mercy in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at 7:30 p.m.
