Van der Slik hat trick completes McAvoy Night
(Kevin Van der Slik had his first hat trick of the season Wednesday against Mohawk Valley).
(Connor Doogan had his first multiple goal performance of the season against the Hawks Wednesday).
(The team singles "You'll Never Walk Alone" before the game in reference to Peter McAvoy).
HERKIMER, NY – Hosting the second annual Peter McAvoy Night at Wehrum Stadium Wednesday (10/7) yielded an eight-goal offensive explosion over rival Mohawk Valley, defeating the Hawks 8-1 in regulation to increase their win streak to six games.
Herkimer (9-2-0) defeated Hudson Valley in the first ever Peter McAvoy Night 3-0 one year ago, watching the team outdo that total by five, putting the game away by the 33rd minute after Kevin Van der Slik (Zoetermeer, Holland) accumulated a hat trick in the span of six minutes. The sophomore scored in the 28th, 30th and 33rd on assists by Brian Vasquez (White Plains, NY) and Moulid Somow (Utica, NY) to break a 1-1 tie, making it 4-1. The hat trick was Van der Slik’s first as a General, adding to his team-high of 11 goals this season.
Netting the first goal of the half was Somow in the 3rd, on an assist from Femi Kaffo (London, England). Ending the scoring was Connor Doogan (Belfast, Ireland) on an assist from Maans Soerensen (Stockholm, Sweeden). Both got free on the weak side and put away quality assists. Somow has caught on as of late with three goals and three assists in his last three games. The same can be said for Doogan who has scored all three of his goals this season in Herkimer’s last four games.
In the second half, Somow and Doogan went back-to-back, increasing the lead to 7-0 on assists from Thomas Callister (Castletown, Isle of Man) and Eddie Speed (Chester, Liverpool) in the 50th and 55th. Making it a seven-goal lead was freshman Chris Cornwill (Sunshine Coast, Australia). The midfielder netted his second goal of the season in the 82nd, connecting with teammate Charlie Simpson (Dalgety Bay, Scotland) who now has three assists in his last four games played.
Allowing his first goal in any win on Wednesday was Morrice Baker (Bridgeport, CT). The sophomore hadn’t allowed a goal in the Generals previous eight wins. He did however save a season-high six shots against the Hawks, giving him the most wins as a goalie in the nation with nine.
Up next for the Generals is another Mountain Valley Conference opponent. On Monday (10/12) Herkimer will travel to play Hudson Valley at 2 p.m. The Vikings are 9-1-1 and will be the second ranked team faced this season. The tie came against Mohawk Valley on the road.
Score:
#5 Herkimer Generals 8, Mohawk Valley Hawks 1
Halftime:
Herkimer 5-1
GENERALS (9-2-0) Kevin Van der Slik 3-0, Moulid Somow 2-2, Connor Doogan 2-0, Chris Cornwill 1-0, Brian Vasquez 0-1, Charlie Simpson 0-1, Femi Kaffo 0-1, Thomas Callister 0-1, Maans Soerensen 0-1, Eddie Speed 0-1. Morrice Baker 6 saves
HAWKS (5-6-1) Jacob Goerner 1-0. Santiago Rojas 5 saves.
Next Game: 10/12 at Hudson Valley 2 p.m.