Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
WILSON, N.C.-Sophomore midfielder Dante De Luca continued his strong start to 2012 with a hat trick in Barton College's 4-1 non-conference victory over visiting Chowan University on Wednesday night at the Barton Outdoor Athletic Complex.
After losing a pair of close games to two teams currently ranked in the top-10 of the Southeast Region, the Bulldogs were finally able to find the win column against the Hawks. Barton improved to 1-2 and Chowan fell to 0-3.
"The Barton men played well versus a very athletic Chowan team," Barton sixth year head coach Matt Akins said. "Our defense stayed strong and our offense was persistent. The young players are beginning to gain confidence and we finished our chances we created in the two previous games but could not capitalize."
The two teams played nearly 40 minutes of scoreless soccer before the Bulldogs burst ahead with three goals in the final 5:24 of the first frame.
Chowan had the contests first quality chance when Antonio Carrabotta ripped a hard shot in the 12th minute but BC junior goalkeeper Vasily Yakimkin was able to secure the laser for his only save of the game.
Barton had five shots recorded before De Luca finally put the Bulldogs on the board in the 40th minute. Freshman Kevin Strassburger made a service pass to the left wing, where De Luca darted in and scored with a shot inside the far right post. De Luca tallied his second goal less than 100 seconds later. Strassburger took a corner kick that was headed by sophomore Ben Bradley towards the left post where De Luca was positioned and ready to redirect it into the back twine.
Stassburger added his own goal in the 43rd minute on assists by De Luca and junior Archer Bane to give Barton the 3-nil lead at the intermission.
De Luca completed his hat trick in the 62nd minute from close range after obtaining the ball at the end of beautiful series of weaving passes by Strassburger and Bane.
De Luca, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has registered points in each of the Bulldogs first three games. His seven point performance increased his team-high totals to four goals, two assists and 10 points.
Strassberger was credited with a helper on each of De Luca's goals to finish with a five-point performance.
The Bulldogs were 98 seconds from posting a shutout when Biez Neto spoiled the bid with a goal that was assisted by Kenny Moore.
Yakimkin was credited with his first win at Barton after successfully protecting the Bulldogs goal in the first half without a blemish. Junior Dalton Bauer protected BC's net in the second half and had one save.
The Bulldogs held a 15-10 shot edge and 12-7 corner kick surplus.
Barton will try and even its record in a Southeast Region clash at Catawba College (Salisbury, N.C.) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
