The Kits took on Walter Payton on Saturday afternoon, their final home match of the Evanston Tournament, and came away with a successful 7-0 win. The three starting forwards dominated the game with seniors Christiano Hamer and Johnny Hunwick each walking off the field with hat-tricks, and senior Joseph Sargent adding to the feat with a goal and assist.
Ten minutes into the second half, with the Kits already up 3-0, Hunwick placed a perfect penalty shot into the back of the net. Shortly after, Sargent dribbled through two opposing defenders to find the back of the net. Then, several minutes later, Hamer finished a combination play to give the Kits a sizable lead. Despite having the chance to play sloppy because of the score differential, the connection never stopped for the home team.
“We are definitely doing a better job connecting as forwards than we did last year,” Hamer said after scoring his third-ever hat trick on varsity.
As the second half began, a good portion of the starters took the bench to watch from a different point of view, but the rest of the game didn’t disappoint. Within eighteen seconds after the whistle, Hamer pounds another goal into Walter Payton’s net with the help from senior John O’Carrol who later assisted Johnny Hunwick’s second goal only ten minutes later.
This streak continued when followed by Hamer’s third goal of the game, assisted by Joseph Sargent. After Alfred received his second yellow from the ref for rough play, he was sent to the bench and subbed in by Hunwick who proceeded to finish the game off with his third goal of the day in the eighth minute.
Although the attacking stars contributed all the goals, the back line and keeper Charlie Dilman held a shutout. Likewise, the substitute players received plenty of minutes and did not let their team down in the concluding game of the tournament.
“Our bench is deeper than we thought- it’s not a big drop off” Coach Calixte elaborates on his well-rounded team.
With numerous skilled players, the Kits have a promising season ahead. Ending as the champions of the Evanston Tournament will keep their momentum rolling until their next match at Vernon Hills this Tuesday. The dream of taking home a State Championship is getting closer with every victory the Kits get.
