August 31, 2001
GREENVILLE -- Sophomore Scott Hoch scored his first career hat trick as the fifth ranked Furman men's soccer team downed Belmont 7-0 in its season opener Friday night at Eugene E. Stone Soccer Stadium.
The Paladins wasted little time in getting on the board as senior Vaughn Bethell scored at the 3:57 mark of the first half. Anthony Esquivel tossed a long throw-in and John Barry Nusum knocked a backwards header to the feet of Esquivel for the goal.
Andy Chase added the Paladins next goal at the 20:20 mark as he connected off a pass from Anthony Esquivel. Furman took a 2-0 lead into intermission.
Furman opened the floodgates in the second half as it scored three goals in a seven minute time span. Ted Figard finished off a John Barry Nusum through ball at the 61:06 mark to pull Furman to a 3-0 lead. Scott Hoch then scored twice in less than a minute. His first goal came at the 67:20 mark as he headed in an Asgeir Asgeirsson cross and he registered his second goal at the 68:02 mark as he scored off a deflected Asgeirsson shot.
Anthony Esquivel added his first goal of the season at the 77:39 mark as he finished a one-vs-one with Belmont's keeper Matt Renfrew after receiving a pass from Jon Rydarowski. Hoch completed his hat trick as he connected on a penalty kick at the 80:19 mark.
"It is good to finally get out here and play a regulation match and get our first victory," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "I thought we did a much better job of finishing in the second half."
In addition to Hoch's three goal performance, freshman Asgeir Asgeirsson recorded three assists. Anthony Esquivel tallied a goal and two assists on the night.
Furman outshot Belmont 31-5.
The Paladins return home next Friday in the Furman Invitational with a 7:30 match against Notre Dame. Clemson and Florida International are also participating in the Furman Invitational next weekend.
The Paladins are currently ranked fifth in the Soccer America preseason poll.
Scoring:
Shots: Furman -- 31; BEL -- 5.
Corner Kicks: Furman -- 8; BEL -- 0.
Saves: Furman -- 2; BEL -- 5.
Fouls: Furman -- 9; BEL -- 13.