TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's soccer team defeated Harding 5-1 Thursday night at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks (5-4) were powered by Brenden Bombardier, who registered his first-career hat trick. He scored goals in the sixth, 14th and 56th minutes of play after entering the match with one career goal on his resume.
 
His first goal was assisted by fellow senior midfielder Josue Morales, who would later score on a direct free kick in the 29th minute. Redshirt freshman forward Joseph Garcia helped on Bombardier's second and third goals, and senior defender Paul Samia also picked up an assist on the third marker.
 
NSU's last three hat tricks have all come against the Bisons. Juan Peralta scored three against Harding on Nov. 1, 2013, and Joel Mendoza registered a hat trick on Oct. 26, 2012. Morales and Samia also assisted on goals in each of those two matches.
 
Harding (2-7-1) was able to pull one back 1:19 into the second half Thursday evening on a goal from Josiah Ireland, but that would be as close as the visitors would get.
 
Sophomore defender Hayden Rasmussen finished the scoring with his second-carry tally in the 83rd minute off an assist from true freshman forward Juan Amaro.
 
Senior goalkeeper Eric Shephard (5-4) earned the win after saving two shots and allowing just one goal. He played the first 64 minutes. Junior Jackson Biles made his first appearance of the season. He saw the field for the final 26 minutes.
 
Michael Wasson (0-2) played the full 90 for Harding and was saddled with the loss after finishing with seven saves and five goals allowed.
 
The RiverHawks outshot HU 31-13 and led 6-5 in corner kicks.
 
Northeastern State will now head to Hays, Kansas, for a showdown with rival Fort Hays State. The two teams will tangle at 1 p.m. Oct. 4.
 
Scoring Summary
HU                   0          1          –          1
NSU                 3          2          –          5
 
Individual Scoring
Brenden Bombardier (NSU) at 5:08 (Josue Morales)
Brenden Bombardier (NSU) at 13:38 (Joseph Garcia)
Josue Morales (NSU) at 28:04 (unassisted)
Josiah Ireland (HU) at 46:19 (unassisted)
Brenden Bombardier (NSU) at 55:10 (Joseph Garcia, Paul Samia)
Hayden Rasmussen (NSU) at 82:01 (Juan Amaro)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Michael Wasson (HU) – 7
Eric Shephard (NSU) – 2
Jackson Biles (NSU) – 1
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH ROB CZLONKA
On having three players score their first goals of the season…
"I expected the three goals to come earlier from those guys (Brenden Bombardier, Josue Morales, Hayden Rasmussen). The guys who scored are players we had hoped to see goals from already. Brenden Bombardier scored in our second preseason match and we thought he'd be good for a few goals. Tonight he had a great night. To get a hat trick, that's awesome. We're really proud of his efforts and the work that he put in. Hayden scored a great goal. In the second half he really got his head up and looked at the field. He used his teammates as decoys to throw the keeper off and get a great shot in. Then Josue Morales' free kick was great. We know we've got a lot of good free kick takers. Mora stepped up and nailed one home. I'm really happy with those guys and hopefully we can continue that trend."
 
On the mindset heading into the Fort Hays State match…
"Our guys want to enjoy this. We're frustrated that we gave up a goal and didn't get the shutout tonight. We're also frustrated that we had several other chances where we should have scored. I think even though we're happy, we know we still have work to do. Going into the Fort Hays match, they'll enjoy themselves tonight, but they'll be mentally sharp and ready to focus tomorrow."
 
On the lull to start the second half and how it was turned around…
"That's one of the things a team that has a significant lead can do. Guys can get too comfortable and not be focused. We gave that goal up in the first two minutes of play. Our guys weren't plugged in. (Harding has) talent, they've got speed, they've got skill and they took it to us. It took us five, six, seven minutes to get ourselves back on track and thankfully we did."
 
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