09/19/2007
Labbe's Hat-Trick Halts Tie Streak; Men's Soccer Beats Lasell, 4-2

WORCESTER, MASS. 09/19/07 - After three straight double-overtime ties, senior Marc Labbe’s (Waterville, Me.) hat-trick led the Clark University men’s soccer team to a 4-2 non-conference victory over Lasell College on Wednesday night at Granger Field.

Clark moves to 2-1-3 overall. Lasell dips to 2-4.

Junior Mike Trobagis (Acton, Mass.) also tallied a goal in the win.

Clark got on the board after John Machado’s (Bristol, Conn.) crossing pass found Labbe on the left side at the 9:21 mark. The senior forward fired it to the far corner of the net for a 1-0 advantage.

The Cougars had a chance to extend their lead (2-0), but Trobagis’ penalty kick was turned aside on a diving save by Lasell goalie Julian Dutton (Madison, Conn.) just 2:33 later.

Lasell’s Kyle Hermengildo (Rehoboth, Mass.) net the equalizer (1-1) when he went in alone and beat Clark keeper Peter Wise (Providence, R.I.) at 27:29.

The Cougars answered as Labbe scored two quick goals within a 2:54 span for a 3-1 halftime lead. He dribbled through the defense and finished off a shot inside the 18-yard box at 39:59 and minutes later converted on a bullet that banged off the right post and into the net for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Lasell had a strong bid to cut the deficit in half as time expired. Stephen Petrin’s (Vernon, Conn.) shot was cleared by Cougar defender Lino Goncalves (Newton, Mass.) before crossing the goal line to end the half.

Clark, who out-shot Lasell, 20-12, in the game, kept the pressure on in the second half. Devin Weafer’s (Carmel, N.Y.) drive clanged off the left post just five minutes into the frame and a bid by Andrew Ninnemman (Menlo Park, Cali.) drifted over the crossbar at 51:51.

Zach Gagne (Somerset, Mass.) scored off a feed from Brian Whelan (Weymouth, Mass.) to keep Lasell within reach (2-3) at 63:56. However, Trobagis added an insurance goal when he buried a shot to the top corner of the net with just over five minutes remaining.

Wise finished the game with two saves for Clark. Dutton stopped six shots for Lasell.

Clark will travel to Babson College for a key NEWMAC tilt on Saturday (2 p.m.).