Box Score RIPON, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Senior Jason Cano (Delavan, Wis.) recorded his third career hat trick to lead the Wisconsin Lutheran College men's soccer team to a 5-3 win over Ripon on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams at Prairie Field. It was the third straight season-opening win for the Warriors, who never trailed in the contest.
- Final Score: Wisconsin Lutheran 5, Ripon 3
- Records: Wisconsin Lutheran (1-0-0), Ripon (0-1-0)
- Location: Prairie Field, Ripon, Wis.
- Sophomore Ben Meaux (Franklin, Wis.) struck first for the Warriors early in the 5th minute on assists from junior Trevor Millonzi (Jackson, Wis.) and senior Luke Harty (South Milwaukee, Wis.).
- Sophomore Tim Gillingham (Oshkosh, Wis.) gave WLC a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute with his first career goal.
- The Red Hawks trimmed their deficit in half three minutes later, but it took Cano just 0:32 seconds to regain Wisconsin Lutheran's two-goal margin.
- Cano added his second tally of the match in the 34th minute on an assist from freshman Jesus Altamirano (Milwaukee, Wis.).
- Ripon climbed back within a score behind back-to-back goals just 1:05 apart from each other before halftime as the score read 4-3 in favor of the Warriors.
- Cano capped off his hat trick in the 51st minute with a one-on-one breakaway for the final tally of the match.
- Cano finished with a match-high seven shots, while Altamarino added six.
- Wisconsin Lutheran out-shot Ripon 34-7, including 18-4 in shots on target.
- Freshman goalkeeper Bryce Beckley (Waterford, Wis.) made one save in his collegiate debut to earn the win.
- "Today was a great day for a college soccer game and I am happy for the players. Overall, we played well and getting a win in the first game is always good." - Head Coach Joe Luedke
- The Warriors host Dubuque (0-0-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m. in their home opener at Warriors Soccer Field. Live coverage links will be available for the game at WLCSports.com.
