Kniska’s hat trick powers Trinity to 5-1 win in part semifinal

MORGANTOWN — Taking a two-goal lead early in a contest ought to enable a staff to loosen up a little bit bit. When Trinity Christian scored two targets within the first six minutes in opposition to Oak Glen on Thursday, nevertheless, it solely fired the Warriors up extra.

“If something, I feel it provides us extra power truly,” mentioned senior Carmeloa Kniska, who scored each early targets. “We had performed them earlier within the season and we had a great outcome, however they’ve gotten higher and also you by no means know what’s going to occur in soccer. So in a way it helped us loosen up, however on the similar time it gave us extra power as a result of we love the sport and we’re going to maintain enjoying laborious.”

Kniska added a 3rd first-half purpose to finish the hat trick as Trinity (10-6-5) went on to win 5-1 and advance to Saturday’s Class AA/A Area I, Part I championship.

“It felt fairly good, truthfully.,” Kniska mentioned of his first-half hat trick. “That is arising on a few of my final video games as a senior and I’m simply attempting to get pleasure from each second I get.”

Kniska scored the primary purpose simply two minutes in on a breakaway up the left aspect of the sphere. The following purpose got here two minutes later when he headed in a nook kick.

The Warriors scoring in two-minute intervals is definitely one thing head coach Dan Lohmann emphasizes.

“Human nature is that you simply settle again a little bit bit and then you definitely may take it simple,” Lohmann mentioned. “We attempt to problem them after each purpose, irrespective of if we concede a purpose or we rating one, to attempt within the subsequent two minutes and maintain the power up.”

Main 3-0 to begin the second half, Lohmann wished his staff to shore up a bit defensively whereas nonetheless producing good scoring probabilities.

“What we targeting was defensive assignments after which counter assault shortly,” he mentioned. “We have been encouraging them to play easy. They have been attempting to do some bit an excessive amount of within the first half and the ball was getting caught to our foot.”

Evan Knight scored Trinity’s fourth purpose on a formidable crossing move from Kniska and Carter Hartsock added the fifth on a penalty kick.

Oak Glen obtained on the board with 5 minutes to play when Preston Cole superbly curved a shot into the higher left nook of the Warriors’ purpose to make it 5-1.

Senior Ben Lohmann made eight saves within the Warriors’ web whereas Richie Gudino matched him with eight for the Golden Bears.

Trinity will play the winner of Weir and Wheeling Central within the part championship Saturday morning at house at 11 a.m.

“It’s going to be enjoyable,” Kniska mentioned. “We don’t know who we play but, however each groups we’ve been rivals with. The final three years, I’ve had a few of my finest video games in opposition to Weir and Wheeling Central. It’s simply going to be enjoyable, however we’ve got to comprehend it’s simply one other sport.”