ELMHURST, Ill. –
Ilija Jerinic's hattrick gave the
Elmhurst University men's soccer team a 3-0 victory at home against Alma College.
In the 16
th minute of play, Elmhurst's
James Serrano served the ball into the box where
Eric Berezne attempted a shot, but ricocheted it off the Scots defender. That's when Jerinic came in and controlled the loose ball and found the back of the net to give his team the 1-0 lead.
After the break, the Bluejays
(4-3-1) came out hungry for a larger lead. In the 54
th minute, in a congested goal box,
Noah Backhaus found Jerinic who was able to score his second goal of the game by putting the ball past Alma goalkeeper Jose Vicario.
Jerinic's third and final goal of the night came just four minutes later when teammate
Sebastian Rincon drew the goalkeeper out and crossed the ball to him to score a hattrick.
Elmhurst goalkeeper
Noah Reed earned the win and shutout with three saves while both Alma goalkeepers, Chris Henry and Jose Vicario, collected three apiece.
The Bluejays open up CCIW play on Saturday, September 25 at North Central College in Naperville.
