Box Score by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – Barton College freshman Pol Monells recorded his first collegiate hat trick on Saturday, scoring all three goals for the Bulldogs in a 3-2 Conference Carolinas men's soccer victory over Emmanuel College.
The hat trick was the first by a Bulldog since Dante de Luca scored three in a 10-0 rout at Chowan on Oct. 30, 2013. All the goals scored on Saturday were assisted by junior Tolly Beatson, the first time that's happened since Erik Pajunk pulled off the feat in that same Chowan match nearly four years ago.
The win on Saturday gave Barton (3-9-1, 1-6-1) its first Conference Carolinas victory of the season and handed first-year head coach Ian McMichael his first career league win. It also kept the Bulldogs alive for a spot in the Conference Carolinas Tournament.
"This result will give our team more confidence, and we'll work to improve as we fight to finish strong and make our conference tournament," McMichael said.
The loss dropped Emmanuel to 4-5-3 overall and 3-2-2 in the conference.
Monells, a resident of Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain, put Barton up 1-0 in the 22nd minute when he scored on a give-and-go from Beatson at the top of the box. He added a second goal six minutes later, putting away a rebound after a free kick by Beatson glanced off an Emmanuel defender.
Less than three minutes after his second goal, the Lions struck back with a goal of their own, as Channing Park broke free in the box for an open shot off a corner kick by Nico Becker.
The score remained 2-1 until the 63rd minute, when Monells would complete the hat trick by firing a shot inside the left post, once more putting away a rebound off a shot made by Beatson. This time the rebound came off Emmanuel keeper Andy Dunnett, who had knocked down Beatson's attempt but could not control it.
The Lions added a late goal with 1:47 to play off another corner kick, this time Martin Mitreski finishing the serve into the box from Blair Springhall.
Emmanuel tried to pressure for the equalizer in the final minute but did not get off a shot against the Barton defense.
The Lions totaled 18 shots in the contest, including eight on goal. Barton produced 16 shots, seven of those on frame.
Barton keeper Jens Madsen Hordvik collected six saves in the victory, while Dunnett claimed four saves for Emmanuel in the loss.
Emmanuel enjoyed a 7-2 edge in corner kicks and scored both their goals off those set pieces.
"Pol will get the headlines, which he deserves with some great play," McMichael said. "Behind the scenes, however, the leadership of Jens after Wednesday's game through today was the catalyst for our strong play tonight."
Barton will host Shaw University in a non-conference matchup 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Barton Outdoor Athletics Complex.
