Junior forward Enrique Hernandez recorded his second career hat trick for the LaGrange College men's soccer team on Saturday evening, but five unanswered goals in the second half by Averett powered the Cougars to a 6-5 triumph at Panther Field.

Junior midfielder Blake Webb tallied a personal-best three assists for the Panthers (3-1). Freshmen Michael Haase and William Perry picked up their first collegiate goal and assist, respectively. Johnny Kummander led the way for Averett (4-4) with a two-goal effort.

During the seventh minute, Hernandez played a right-side corner kick onto the feet of Webb. Hernandez received the ball back and buried a shot into the top left corner of the net, giving LC a 1-0 advantage.

During the 12th minute, senior defender Evan Sampers helped out his goalkeeper by blocking a shot from the left side of the 18-yard box by Orion Mills. Webb utilized great footwork in the attacking zone during the 16th minute. He located Hernandez, but the ensuing shot went just wide of the left post.

The Panthers extended their lead to 2-0 during the 17th minute. Perry played a ball into the box from the right attacking side. Junior midfielder Austin Anderson slammed the bouncing ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

With 21:01 showing on the clock in the first half, junior defender Alex Drazic nearly gave LaGrange a three-goal lead, but his header shot off a throw-in by Sampers was corralled by Averett goalkeeper Tyler Yates.

The Cougars found their way onto the scoreboard in the 31st minute thanks to a goal by Agustin Jaraba. Haase scored from point-blank range with one second remaining off a header assist by Drazic, sending the hosts into intermission with a 3-1 lead.

Webb found Hernandez twice for goals in the opening 7:21 of the second half, giving LC a 5-1 cushion. Webb has two goals and five assists on the season, while Hernandez has found the back of the net four times.

Averett responded with five straight goals in a span of 14:50 from the 66th to 81st minute. Five different Cougars scored during the surge, as the visitors clinched a 6-5 victory.

Hernandez's last hat trick occurred during a 3-2 season-ending win over Piedmont on March 26. He became the second Panther to accomplish the feat this season, as junior forward Jaydon Parrish scored three times during a 6-0 victory at Warren Wilson on Sept. 10.

Junior goalkeeper Lucas Wright (3-1) made a game-high seven saves for LaGrange. Yates evened his season record at 4-4, making six stops for the Cougars.

Averett held a 24-19 advantage in shots, including a 13-11 lead in shots on goal. Each team attempted five corner kicks. Hernandez led all players in shots (6) and shots on goal (4).

The Panthers will compete at Maryville in a non-USA South-counting game on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.

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