Lyon hat trick leads HCHS soccer boys to first win

 NEOLA (April 23) -- Ashton Lyon’s first career hat trick paved the way Friday as Harlan Community used a fast start to earn its first boys soccer win of the season, beating Tri-Center 5-3 at Neola’s new City Park field. Lyon scored three goals and also had an assist while Ian Shelton and Connor Frame scored one goal each for the Cyclones, who improved to 1-9 overall. HCHS stormed out to a 4-0 lead in the first 13 minutes and was able to hold on as Tri-Center (1-4) kept fighting back throughout the match. The final score came with 25:05 remaining. The Cyclones dominated possession on the night, taking 26 total shots (16 on goal) compared to four each for the Trojans. “We had ample opportunities to score, but kicked several shots right at the Trojan goalie,” stated HCHS head coach Dave Voge. “It was nice to get our first win, but we still have much to improve on. We played well at times, but we also lost focus for 10-15 minutes at a time and allowed the Trojans to hang around. “We had a couple starters out due to injury and had three more leave early to be in the school musical, but the other guys did a good job of making sure we maintained the lead and secured the win.” Voge added that it was great to see Lyon notch his first career hat trick and also commended the play of Luke Freund, who led the team with nine intercepts and added two steals. Lyon was the team leader with four steals. “It was great to see Ashton Lyon so active along with Luke Freund,” Voge stated. “Due to some last-minute injuries we had to move Luke back to left back. He was tenacious and did a great job of helping secure the back line.” Ian Shelton got HCHS on the board in the third minute, scoring off a long pass over the defense by Lyon. Assists through and over the defense by Devin Kearney and Connor Frame set up Lyon’s first two goals and with 27:08 left in the first half Frame scored unassisted to make it 4-0. Tri-Center pulled within 4-2 before halftime as Brayden Ewoldt scored from short range and Ethan Flaharty converted a penalty kick following a Cyclone foul in the box on a corner kick. Lyon achieved his hat track with 29:53 left in the game, stealing the ball from T-C’s Christian Dahir deep in the 18-yard box and scoring from about six yards out. Holden Skow’s goal for the Trojans cut the margin to 5-3 with 25:05 remaining, but that was it for the scoring. Frame led the Cyclones with nine total shots (seven on goal) while Lyon totaled six shots (three on goal). In addition to Freund’s nine intercepts, Noah Schmitz had seven and Jesse Schwery added five.
Harlan Community 5, Tri-Center 3SCORING SUMMARYHCHS: Ian Shelton goal (Ashton Lyon assist) - 1st half, 37:45 left.HCHS: Ashton Lyon goal (Devin Kearney assist) - 1st half, 32:14 left.HCHS: Ashton Lyon goal (Connor Frame assist) - 1st half, 29:29 left.HCHS: Connor Frame goal (unassisted) - 1st half, 27:08 left.Tri-Center: Brayden Ewoldt goal (Ethan Flaharty assist) - 1st half, 16:33 left.Tri-Center: Ethan Flaharty penalty kick goal - 1st half, 13:08 left.HCHS: Ashton Lyon goal (unassisted) - 2nd half, 29:53 left.Tri-Center: Holden Skow goal (Garrett Gittins assist) - 2nd half, 25:05 left.STATISTICS Total Shots: HCHS 26 (Connor Frame 9, Ashton Lyon 6, Devin Kearney 3, Mason Anderson 2, Brett Wageman 2, Luke Freund 1, Ian Shelton 1, Caleb Smith 1, Ian Kearney 1), T-C 4 (Brayden Ewoldt 2). Shots on Goal: HCHS 16 (Frame 7, Lyon 3, D. Kearney 2, Freund 1, Shelton 1, Wageman 1, I. Kearney 1), T-C 4. Goalie Saves: HCHS 1 (Konner Leinen 1), T-C 11 (Trace Conn 11). Corner Kicks: HCHS 4 (Lyon 2, Shelton 2), T-C 1 (Christian Dahir 1). Fouls: HCHS 5, T-C 6. Offsides: HCHS 9, T-C 0. Yellow Card: T-C 1 (Ethan Flaharty). Steals: HCHS 11 (Lyon 4, Freund 2, Shelton 1, Caleb Smith 1, M. Anderson 1, D. Kearney 1, Jackson Lotenschtein 1). Intercepts: HCHS 40 (Freund 9, Noah Schmitz 7, Jesse Schwery 5, D. Kearney 4, Lyon 3, Seth Anderson 3, Frame 2, Shelton 2, M. Anderson 2, Smith 1, Lotenschtein 1, Wageman 1).