STAFFORD, TX – Ben McCarron notched his first career hat trick as the (RV) Louisiana State University of Alexandria men's soccer team defeated North American University, 3-0.
 
The Generals (11-1-1, 6-0-1 RRAC) tripled the Stallions' (4-6-1, 3-4-1 RRAC) shot total, 15-4. Ivan Capurro recorded his 11^th win and fifth clean sheet of the year.
 
"Overall, a good three points," LSUA Head Coach Mackenzie Young said. "Three goals, a clean sheet, in a fantastic football stadium, against a good side. North American pressed us high from the beginning which gave us different challenges. They were highly energetic and we had a bit of adjusting to do. Maxi [Romagnoli] had a bit of an overload on the left side and we took advantage of it."
 
Each side generated a pair of shots in the opening 17 minutes. The Stallions managed just one additional shot in the half, while LSUA created seven more.
 
Maximo Romagnoli and Juan Buitrago both had a chance turned away by Gino Burioni before McCarron put his name on the ledger for the first time.
 
His first goal came in the 37^th minute, finishing off a ball from Javier Moscardo. Just two minutes later, he scored again. He buried a close range chance off a corner kick from Romagnoli.
 
Mackenzie Vincent had the Generals' final chance on goal of the half but was stymied by Burioni to keep the match at 2-0.
 
McCarron finalized the hat trick in the 58^th minute, flicking a header past Burioni off an in-swinging cross from Romagnoli. He now has a team-leading eight goals.
 
"It feels really good," McCarron said of his first career hat trick. "Hopefully the first of many. It's just good to help the team win and pick up three points."
 
LSUA travels to Victoria, Texas to take on A&M-Victoria on Saturday at 3:30 PM in another RRAC match.