CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – One major objective for the Moravian College men's soccer team in 2013 is to get that elusive first goal.
They did just that in their season-opening 5-2 win at Baptist Bible on Friday evening, and then some. Senior forward Jeffrey Algor scored a hat trick for the Greyhounds (1-0), his first career three-goal game and Moravian's first since Louis Dollarton in 2005.
"It's a remarkable feeling," Algor said. "I can't take credit for the hat trick, it's a team effort, but at the same time it's a great accomplishment. I'm not going to stop here. I'm going to try to keep scoring goals. It's only the first game so I hope this trend continues."
The scoring trend began with junior forward Shane McCaslin, whose strike found the back of the net off senior defenseman Justin Dilts' assist in the 35th minute. The Greyhounds took a 1-0 lead into halftime while leading Baptist in shots, 11-1.
The dominoes began to fall in the second half. Algor scored his first goal in the 48th minute when a careful first touch helped the senior star beat the Baptist keeper for an easy tap in. He followed that less than two minutes later with another unassisted goal for the 3-0 Moravian lead.
The Blue and Grey scored their fourth unanswered goal in the 59th minute when freshman forward Brendan Barca netted his first collegiate goal. The rookie striker finished a loose ball with an unquestionable left foot. His celebration, however, was questionable.
"I couldn't have imagined it any better," said Barca, who registered three shots in his debut. "[Freshman] Travis Cifarelli started the goal with a cross. Time slowed down and I took a deep breath. I don't really know what I did after I scored. My teammates said I screamed like a girl. I'm going to have to work on that."
Baptist Bible did not go down without a fight. The Defenders scored two unanswered goals in the 59th and 63rd minutes to bring the tally to 4-2. Moravian responded with a weapon they hope is not a secret to opponents in 2013.
Algor capped an historic day with his third goal in the 78th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brian Boland made two saves to help preserve the victory on Friday. The keeper's comfortable cushion was provided by Moravian outshooting Baptist 25-4 in the contest.
Freshman midfielder Robert McKinley got involved on one of Algor's goals and another freshman, defenseman Ian Larimer, got the start at center back.
"I'm not looking past this season yet," Algor said, "but the future of this program looks bright. As captain, I'm trying to lead these guys in the right direction because I want them to take my role when I'm gone."
Algor isn't going anywhere yet. His club returns to campus on Saturday, August 31 when the Greyhounds take on Lancaster Bible College at 1 p.m. on the HUB Quad in the 2013 home opener.
