Lewis’ Hat Trick Propels Wolves to Victory

MERIDIAN – The Co-Lin Men's Soccer Team wrapped up the 2022 regular season with a road match against Meridian. A second half offensive explosion of four goals in ten minutes led to the Wolves claiming a 4-0 win.

The first half saw both squads struggle to create scoring chances with Wolves freshman goalkeeper Leo Summers (Cornwall, England) needing to make just one save in the first 45 minutes of play. Summers would finish the game facing and saving just two shots across 90 minutes of the match.

The offensive fireworks for the Wolves did not start until late in the second half as sophomore forward Hardy Lewis (Brandon) blasted a ball by the Eagles keeper with an assist from freshman forward Yosvin Ramirez (Bogue Chitto) in the 76th minute making the score 1-0.

Just five minutes later, Lewis scored his second goal of the match, this time with a header from an assist by sophomore defender Eli Harrist (Brandon) in the 81st minute. Freshman midfielder John Hrivnak then beat the keeper with a goal off a free kick in the 83rd minute making the score 3-0.

The final goal just three minutes later secured the hat trick for Lewis as he intercepted a pass by the Eagles and then beat the keeper for the score in the 86th minute making the score 4-0. The Wolves then stalled out the Eagles attack while having two more scoring opportunities as both shots missed wide in the remaining four minutes to secure the 4-0 win.

"This was a good reaction from the boys in the second half," said Co-Lin Head Coach Tom Cosgrave. "We challenged them to lift the tempo and speed of their play. It was nice to be able to rotate through our squad and see different players step up and perform well for us."

"Hardy was excellent for us today," stated Cosgrave. "He has really developed into a clinical finisher for our squad."

Co-Lin improves to 10-2-3 overall, 7-1-2, which is the best overall and conference record in program history. The Wolves have also qualified for postseason play for the first time in program history as they finished second in the MACCC standings, which also is the highest in program history. The Wolves will host Hinds on Friday, October 28 in the Region 23 Tournament. The action on the pitch between the Eagles and the Wolves will kick off at 4 p.m., and will be played at Madison-Ridgeland Academy.