Blair registers hat-trick and an assist for the Lyons, moves into tie for third all-time in career points

NORTON, Mass. – Behind a hat-trick from senior forward Travis Blair (Hastings, N.Y./Hastings), the Wheaton College men's soccer team defeated St. Joseph's College (Me.), 6-0, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at Keefe Field.

Blair recorded his second career hat-trick with goals coming at 36-seconds into the game, 23:27 and 57:36 and he also dished out an assist on first-year Liam Daniels' (New York, N.Y./Northfield Mount Hermon) first collegiate marker at 21:51 for seven points total in the contest. With his seven-point effort (second career) this afternoon, Blair is now tied for third all-time in career points with 93 total (39g, 15a) along with Eric Reed '02 (35g, 23a). Blair also surpassed Shaun Cavanaugh '03 (35g, 22a) and Jim Manganello '99 (31g-29a-91p) on the list after entering the 2014 season positioned sixth all-time in points with 86.

Junior Kevin Gil (Pawtucket, R.I./Wheeler School) also scored in the 54th minute, while senior captain Luke Finkelstein (Peabody, Mass./Peabody) rounded out the scoring with an unassisted tally at 59:43.

Wheaton junior goalkeeper Jackson Towle (South Berwick, Maine/Marshwood) stopped three shots to pick up his third career win and first-ever shutout. Monks' junior goalkeeper Scott Benner (Post Falls, Idaho/Post Falls) made a season-high six saves in the loss.

Blair needed just 36-seconds into the second match of the 2014 season to find his scoring touch after leading the Lyons with a team-high 17 goals last season as he put home a feed in the middle of the box from Finkelstein for a quick 1-0 lead.

After Daniels converted Blair's chip pass over the Monks' back line for a 2-0 advantage at 21:51, Blair made it 3-0 with a successful penalty kick in the 24th minute. Overall in his career, Blair is now 6-for-6 in penalty kick attempts in a Wheaton uniform.

Blair and Finkelstein connected again in the 58th minute to help complete the hat-trick as Finkelstein lofted a perfect cross near the left side of the box to Blair for an easy strike.

The Lyons held a 23-8 differential in shots and a 7-3 margin in corner kicks.

Wheaton (2-0), who is now 3-0-0 all-time against the Monks (0-2), hosts Western New England University on Wednesday, September 3 at 4 p.m. St. Joseph's (Me.) travels to Thomas College next Wednesday for a 4 p.m. matchup.

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