HIRAM – Three separate players recorded hat tricks as Wilmington posted the 10-8 victory over Hiram in non-conference action.

Kirby Dearth (Hilliard, OH/Darby), Jalen Jackson (Hilliard, OH/Bradley) and Alex Gossard (Galloway, OH/Hilliard Bradley) all found the back of the net three times, while Kyle Combs (Cincinnati, OH/Indian Hill) recorded his first collegiate goal.

The Quakers made the trip up to Hiram with out getting the usual minutes from their starting midfielders due to recovering and ailing injuries, but got the most out of a certain first-year player who is excelling every day at practice and with every game in Combs.

He has been coming in to his own as of late with all the intangibles he brings to the game which go unnoticed and unseen especially to the statisticians.

"We can rely on Kyle to push our transition game with his speed, he is an absolute work-horse on defense and is starting to pick up an offensive game to his repertoire which is beginning to add another option in our shot taking," said head coach Domenic Marzano.

The Quakers entered the game with a new found focus and commitment to locking up the defense and making team's earn their goals. Marzano has been working all week on piecing together the defensive packages and they were rewarded today with limiting Hiram's offensive opportunities without giving away an easy goal.

"We slowed everything down at practice and walked through our slide packages so the players can understand their place on the field and begin to communicate what is expected of one another," said Marzano.

It is apparent Wilmington went in to this game focusing on defense as they took an early lead in the
first quarter, and were able to keep the score even at the end of the quarter. Both teams exchanged goals and lead changes until the Quakers were able to reel off three goals in the third quarter and took control of the game.

Cory Hogsett (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) played a significant role throughout the second half by virtually winning every face-off in the second half.

"Cory dominated face-offs in the second half and he is the key factor in giving us possession after possession in the third quarter which was a direct result of the three goals that put us ahead late in the game," said Marzano.

The Quakers return to action 2 p.m. Saturday when they host Transylvania at Williams Stadium.