Lewis Leads the Way with Hat Trick, Hartford Win 6-3 Over Charleston
October 1, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
Hartford scored a season high six goals to beat Charleston tonight by a final of 6-3. The performance was headlined by a hat trick from Andre Lewis, the first in club history.
The home side started with pressure early and were rewarded in the 10th minute courtesy of the red-hot Ariel Martinez. Juan Carlos Obregón collected the ball in the midfield while fighting off a defender to play a beautifully lofted ball to the head of Martinez. Hartford’s leading scorer made no mistake to slot the ball home for his seventh goal of the season and Obregón’s first assist.
Three minutes later, the Green and Blue doubled their lead through Andre Lewis. The ball was played to Prince Saydee on the right wing, who emerged early as an attacking outlet for Athletic. For the second time in the match, Saydee drove his defender back and played a ball to the six-yard box to the arriving Lewis, who deftly touched the ball into the net. The assist was Saydee’s team-leading sixth.
One minute of stoppage in the first half was all the time Hartford needed to extend their lead to three. Joel Johnson floated a cross to the far post after sending his defender sliding. The cross was cushioned by Prince Saydee to Juan Carlos Obregón on Charleston’s doorstep. Obregón’s attempt was partially blocked by Kuzemka’s arm, but the shot was too powerful and found the back of the net.
Athletic were outpossessed, outpassed, and outcrossed but had the clinical finishing touch that the Battery lacked. Hartford have been unbeaten in their last eight games in which they’ve led at the half, and they looked to extend that streak.
Charleston clawed one back on a swift counter in the 51st minute. Andrew Booth collected the ball and drove towards the top of Hartford’s box. He unleashed a rocket to the far upper corner to beat the diving Jimmy Slayton and registered his fourth goal of the season.
Athletic continued to allow the the Battery chances, resulting in a second goal. Leland Archer sent in a long-range cross towards the solitary attacker Aidan Apodaca. Tulu misjudged the ball’s flight, allowing Apodaca to collect the ball and send it past Slayton.
The Green and Blue remained undeterred to extend their lead back to two goals in the 57th minute. Danny Barrera received a thow-in outside of the Battery’s box with no defenders in his area. The Captain’s ensuing cross was set on a silver platter, eliminating all defenders in the area. Andre Lewis’ header was sent past the stranded Kuzemka to complete the Jamaican’s brace and set the score 4-2 in favor of the hosts.
Yet again, Charleston were able to reduce the deficit. The Battery strung together passes in the Hartford box and eventually picked out the 16-year-old Fidel Barajas. The newly-introduced attacker sent a cross past two defenders and Slayton ending in a tap-in Augustine Williams goal.
Andre Lewis got the opportunity for a hat trick in the 87th minute and capitalized calmly. Younes Boudadi, who was relatively quiet for most of the match, drove towards the end line and attempted a cutback. Charleston’s captain AJ Paterson impeded the effort to concede a late penalty. Lewis stepped up to the spot and emphatically sent the ball to the upper corner for the first hat trick in Hartford history and his sixth goal this year.
The Green and Blue weren’t done scoring just yet. Ariel Martínez got on the scoresheet in the 90th minute to cap off an exciting night for the hosts. Fresh off a hat trick, Andre Lewis served Ariel on a through ball into the Charleston box. After taking a few touches, the forward put the ball on his left foot and calmly finished into the far corner to guarantee all three points for the home side.
Hartford are back at home for the last home match of the season next Saturday, October 8th against the Oakland Roots.
Shots (On-Target): Hartford 12 (9) Charleston 19 (8)
Corners: Hartford 3 Charleston 4
Fouls: Hartford 7 Charleston 17
Offsides: Hartford 5 Charleston 0
Possession: Hartford 41.3% Charleston 58.7%
Passing Accuracy: Hartford 70.5% Charleston 85.4%
Saves: Hartford 5 Charleston 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
10′ – Martinez (Obregón)
13′ – Lewis (Saydee)
45’+1 – Obregón (Saydee)
51′ – Booth (Piggott)
53′ – Apodaca (Archer)
57′ – Lewis (Barrera)
79′ – Williams (Barajas)
87′ – Lewis
90′ – Martinez (Lewis)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
17′ – Tulu (Yellow)
63â² – Kilwien (Yellow)
81â² – Slayton (Yellow)
86â² – Archer (Yellow)
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