McDaniel College men’s soccer defeated Penn State Altoona 6-2 on Sept. 12 at the Soccer Complex in Westminster, Maryland. First-year Nebiyu Samuel scored three goals, becoming the only first-year player in McDaniel program history to record a hat trick. The victory improved McDaniel to 3-0, while Penn State Altoona fell to 1-3.
McDaniel College led 5-2 at halftime after holding a 14-2 advantage in first-half shots. The Green Terror scored the only goal of the second half when sophomore Nicholas Clarke found the net in the 87th minute. McDaniel’s six goals marked its highest total since a 6-0 home victory over Christendom on Oct. 5, 2022.
Samuel Records Historic Hat Trick
Samuel opened the scoring 12:53 into the match before Penn State Altoona answered with goals at the 16:24 mark and 17:29 to take a 2-1 lead. Samuel scored again three minutes later to tie the match for the second time.
Senior Charlie Olson then scored twice within a five-minute span, including one penalty kick, to give McDaniel College a 4-2 advantage. Samuel completed his hat trick 3:38 later, sending the Green Terror into halftime with a three-goal lead.
Samuel’s performance produced McDaniel College’s first hat trick since Liam Ireland scored three goals on Sept. 24, 2019. Samuel is the only first-year player to record a hat trick in program history.
Olson and Clarke Contribute to Victory
Olson finished with two goals and an assist, giving him nine points in his last two games. During that span, he has recorded three goals and three assists. Penn State Altoona goalkeeper Tyler Tardiff made three saves.
Clarke, the reigning Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week, scored his third goal of the season in the 87th minute. Senior goalkeeper Tate Roth made his first start in goal and recorded two second-half saves. Junior goalkeeper Joseph Peloquin made his first appearance of the season, played the final nine minutes and stopped one shot.
Upcoming Game Against Methodist
McDaniel College men’s soccer is scheduled to host Methodist on Sunday at 3 p.m. The match will follow McDaniel’s 3-0 start.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
McDaniel College men’s soccer received a historic performance from Samuel, whose three goals established the program’s first hat trick by a first-year player. Olson’s two goals and assist helped power a six-goal attack, while Clarke added the only goal of the second half. The 14-2 first-half shot advantage underscored McDaniel’s control before the team completed the 6-2 victory.
Source: Original report
