DETROIT, Mich.
(GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay (5-4-1, 1-2-0 Horizon) men's soccer
team earned its first Horizon League win of the season, with a 4-0 shutout in
Detroit (3-6-1, 2-2-0 Horizon) on Sunday.
The win was Green Bay's second shutout of the season as JC
Banks (Milwaukee, Wis.) had his first collegiate career hat trick in the
contest to carry the Phoenix.
"You start to wonder when that first conference win is going
to come, and today it felt good to get it in the books," said head coach Tom
Poitras. "Now we just need to keep rolling."
The lone goal of the first half came with less than five
minutes to play when Alonso Flores (Chicago, Ill.) took a shot, which was saved
by keeper Anthony Shepherd. Banks rebounded the shot in the box to score his
fourth goal of the season, giving the Phoenix the 1-0 lead at the break.
"JC is a hard-working, patient player and it was just a matter
of him taking advantage of his opportunities," said Poitras.
Just 1:15 into the second half, Banks stole a Detroit pass
and broke free down the field for the score, boosting Green Bay's lead, 2-0.
Five minutes later, after Detroit's Mike Chiandussi was
issued a red card for a foul in the box, Banks' third and final goal of the
game came off a penalty kick.
Banks three goals were scored in an 11 minute window as he
led the Phoenix with six shots, five on goal.
In the 63rd minute, Stuart Grable (Neenah, Wis.)
found Alonso Flores (Chicago, Ill.) inside the box. Flores beat the keeper,
laying the ball in the left side of the net for the header goal, his second of
the season.
"When Alonso has
gotten his chances this season, he always steps up and takes advantage of them,
just as he did today," commented Poitras.
The Phoenix out-shot the Titans 13-7 while each team had
four corner kicks.
Green Bay's lone game next week will be at Milwaukee (3-5-2, 2-2-0
Horizon) Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
