Wheaton College Men's Soccer Team Dominates in Season Opener

The Wheaton College (Mass.) men's soccer team kicked off their season with a resounding victory over host Saint Joseph's College (Maine), led by junior forward Declan Rhatigan's impressive first career hat trick. The Lyons dominated the match, holding the Monks without a shot for most of the night and firing 21 attempts, including 10 on frame. Wheaton's goal total of three is their most in a season opener since a 6-2 win at Dean College in 2018.

Key Takeaways:

• Declan Rhatigan became the first player in Wheaton College history to record a hat trick in the season-opening contest.
• Rhatigan's first career hat trick is a testament to his skill and vision on the field, with all three goals being set up by his teammates.
• The Lyons' 3-0 victory marks their largest margin of victory in a season opener since a 6-2 win at Dean College in 2018.
• Junior defender Owen Kane and junior midfielder Camaje Easton-Smith played key roles in setting up Rhatigan's goals with their brilliant crosses.
• Wheaton's first-year forward Vinny McGann worked well together with sophomore midfielder Jack Morlock to set up Tanner Rock's first collegiate goal.
• The Lyons' goalkeepers, Nick Phinney and Ty Nolan, combined for a shutout, with Phinney playing 81:08 minutes without being tested and Nolan playing the final 8:52.

Statistics:

• 21 – Number of attempts fired by Wheaton College in the match.
• 10 – Number of shots on frame for the Lyons.
• 9 – Number of corner kicks awarded to Wheaton College.
• 0 – Number of shots on goal by Saint Joseph's College for most of the match.
• 1982 – Year in which Wheaton College's players last recorded a first-career goal in their collegiate debut.
• 81:08 – The amount of time played by Nick Phinney without being tested.
• 8:52 – The amount of time played by Ty Nolan for the final shutout effort.

Sources:

• Wheaton College Men's Soccer Team's news release