Hammond's des- Troyer scores four on Cardinal Newman
April 15, 2008 • Boys Soccer
By Michael Orr

Photo by Michael Orr Hammond's Jordan Troyer kicks in his second goal of the game. Troyer scored all four Skyhawk goals.

In a battle of two of the state's top three private schools, Hammond used a four goal performance by Jordan Troyer and USC- bound keeper Ross Power held a clean sheet to ward off Cardinal Newman 4- 0 on April 15. Troyer's first half hat trick set the tone for the game, giving the Skyhawks a season sweep against the Cardinals.

Hammond controlled the tempo and possession of the game's early going. Justin Holladay, Harry Lightsey and Troyer put pressure on the Cardinal defense with shots in the first 15 minutes of play. Lightsey was also an offensive catalyst via his front handspring throw- ins. Several such throws gave the Skyhawks opportunities near the goal. With 23 minutes left in the first half, Troyer connected on his first goal, a shot made possible by a terrific cross by Harry Tomlinson.

The Cardinals responded with a dangerously close free kick just two minutes later. Nick O'Rourke caught Hammond's Powers off guard but his shot clanged off the post. With momentum shifted back to the Skyhawks, Troyer went back to work and with some crafty dribbling in the box, eluded the Cardinal backline and fired a shot into the back of the net for his second goal.

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond's Jordan Troyer

Late in the half, Cardinal Newman sent waves of offense toward goal with Zach Hrovat creating two very good looks at the goal. The first was a cross that was saved with 7:45 left in the half and the second was a booming shot from just outside the 18- yard box that sailed just high, with 6:40 to play. Just before halftime, Troyer found his way through three defenders and snuck the ball past the Cardinal keeper to complete his first half hat trick and push the Skyhawks comfortably in control.

Throughout the second half, the Cardinals were simply unable to mount any serious offensive charges as they had late in the first. The Skyhawk defense can be credited with Holladay and Adam Jenkins serving as key bulwarks.

Midway through the second half, Troyer again found himself with the ball near the goal and he converted via another brilliant pass by Tomlinson, increasing the Hammond lead to 4- 0. That goal put the game completely out of reach and substitutes completed much of the remainder of the contest. Two Cardinal shots in the game's final five minutes reintroduced excitement on the pitch, but both shots just missed the net, preserving the Hammond shut out.

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond's Stiles Harper tries to get by a Cardinal Newman defender. Right: Hammond's Harry Lightsey throws the ball in. Photo by Michael Orr Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Cardinal Newman's Zach Hrovat dribbles.