Castleton, VT - Men's soccer opened up their regular season with a dominant performance over the Vikings at Vermont Tech State University - Randolph. The Panthers had two players finish with hat tricks by the end of this game. 

The Panthers were excited to start their season with the addition of a handful of new freshmen. The team opened their season against a conference opponent and took home their first win of the season. The Panthers opened up the game with a goal from senior Firaas Anis (Brooklyn, NY) off an assist from junior Sahil Arora (Waterford, NY) ten minutes into the game. Arora was able to get his second assist of the game with a pass in the middle of the box to set up fellow junior Jay Carlson (Saratoga Springs, NY) for Carlson's first goal of the game. With twenty minutes left in the first half, Anis was fouled in the box to set up a Panthers penalty kick. Anis took the kick and put it in the bottom left corner to score his second goal of the game. Anis was able to find the back of the net two minutes later to secure his hat trick. Off a deflection from the Vikings defense, Carlson was in the right spot and scored his second goal of the game. 

Less than four minutes into the second half, Carlson was able to secure his hat trick as he hit a shot off the right post and into the net. With 32 minutes left in the second half, the Panthers were set up for a corner kick. Freshman Vincent DeVito (Saratoga Springs, NY) found his former Saratoga teammate, Carlson, who fired a header into the upper right corner of the goal. This gave Carlson his fourth goal of the game, and put his name on the record books as his 4 goals is tied for second most in a single game! With under seven minutes to go, freshman Zachary Ehrig (Syracuse, NY) was able to score a tough goal to secure his first collegiate goal of his young Panther career.

After the game coach Adeseko said: "It was a good way to start the season and conference play. Although we didn't play our best, which is something that happens when you play a team that just kick the ball and make very little attacking effort -  we did what we can to get the WIN. I am super proud of all the freshmen who came in and worked hard. Zach Ehrig got his first college goal and it was a beautiful finish. Everyone played and contributed. The boys got a day off tomorrow, we will get back to the pitch on Tuesday and keep getting better."

The Panthers will have the next week off to get ready for their matchup at Union College on September 13th. 

How to follow the Panthers: For the latest information on ACPHS athletics, visit acphspanthers.com or check out the ACPHS athletics social media platforms on Instagram @ACPHSPanthers or Twitter @ACPHSAthletics.