Alvarado Hat Trick Powers Men's Soccer Past Lesley

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's soccer team opened up New England Collegiate Conference play on Saturday afternoon at home, powering past Lesley University 3-0 at Alumni Field.

Freshman Flavio Alvarado notched his first collegiate hat trick, scoring one goal in the opening half and adding a pair after the intermission.

The first goal came with five minutes remaining in the first half when a Lesley penalty resulted in a Mitchell free kick. Sophomore Matt Ladd booted the ball into the penalty box and Alvarado struck it with his right foot while on the run, sailing it into the right corner of the net.

Three minutes into the second half it was once again Ladd setting up Alvarado, this time on a throw in from the far sideline. Ladd dropped the ball perfectly into the zone and Alvarado played it off a bounce, striking again with his right foot and sending it past the Lynx keeper. 

The third and final goal of the afternoon came in the 67th minute when sophomore Stephen Contreras possessed the ball on the right wing and dumped it down in front of the net. Alvarado timed it up perfectly, zipping in and connecting on a header. 

The three goals by Alvarado give him a team-high four on the season, all of them coming in the last two games.

The Mariners carried pace of play all afternoon, outshooting the Lynx 17-4 including 9-2 in shots on goal. Joey Rosa made a pair of saves for the Mariners in the win.

Mitchell (3-6-0) will be back at home on Monday afternoon when they host Mass. Maritime at 1:00 pm.