Box Score NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Senior John Imbimbo put the finishing touches on his first hat trick of the season in the last 15 minutes of the game as the Franciscan men's soccer team held off Muskingum for a 5-3 win on the road, Saturday evening.
The win improves the Barons to 2-3-1 on the year while Fighting Muskies fall to 2-3.
Imbimbo's second goal of the evening gave FUS the lead for good and came in the 75th minute on a long shot 30 yards out from the goal. The senior's third and final goal of the game solidified the 5-3 win for the Barons as he connected with senior Dan Binette with just eight seconds left in the game with a shot about 20 yards out.
Imbimbo's late game heroics were set up after the Fighting Muskies tied the game with less than 20 minutes to play at 3-3.
Sophomore Leo Herrmann had a pair of game-changing goals as well to give FUS its first lead in the second half. The score was tied following the break and Brett Hanns quickly broke the tie for Muskingum with his second of the game just five minutes into play.
"I was really impressed with the team's confidence today," remarked head coach Ward Rogers. "We got down early in the second and they guys didn't let that rattle them. They were confidence in our game plan and continued to play hard and it paid off."
Herrmann's sixth and seventh goals of the year came within 10 minutes of each other in the second. "Leo had two really nice goals today and had a lot of good chances." Herrmann took a pass from Imbimbo at the top of the box to tie the game at 2-2 before giving the Barons with a 3-2 lead off a shot flicked past the goalie.
Imbimbo got the Barons off to a quick start in the game as he headed home a pass from Herrmann off the keeper's save at 14:44. Muskingum tied the game with 2:48 left to play in the opening half as Hanns scored on a penalty kick.
"Their wings were very fast and our outside backs did a great job of controlling their speed and neutralizing their possession in the midfield," remarked Rogers on the play of the defense tonight.
"Cuyler Ledyard, Patrick Canavan, Dominic Vander Woude and Leo James had a really great game today,' continued Rogers. "They did a great job containing their forwards and really felt comfortable in their positions."
The Barons are now playing with people in their natural positions and they are getting more comfortable. "The guys are getting more comfortable in what each other are doing and they are really starting to build a nice chemistry."
"In the beginning of the year, we played four games in six days and it really puts a lot of pressure on the guys. We are now getting to game plan and strategize before each game and its helping the guys get comfortable with the game plan."
The Barons will take tomorrow off before hosting a tough Waynesburg team on Monday at 3:00 pm.
