MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Konsti Witte bagged a hat trick as the Eagles defeated Truett McConnell 4-0 Saturday afternoon at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium in a big bounce back win.

Witte opened the scoring quickly when Julio Cesar's shot was saved and fell right to the German who was in the right place for the tap-in in the 4th minute for his second goal of the season and Cesar's first assist.

The duo linked up again in the 17th to double the advantage when Cesar's perfectly weighted through ball played Witte into a one-on-one with the keeper for the clinical finish. Faulkner maintained the 2-0 lead into halftime.

After the break, Witte completed the 12th hat trick in program history and the first since Julio Cesar went for four against Brewton-Parker in 2023 when Asaph Silveira and Iago Ramm combined for Ramm to deliver a cross to Witte who headed home the final touch of his hat trick in the 65th. Ramm's second assist of the year came just over 80 seconds after his introduction into the match. For Silveira, the assist marked the fourth match with a goal contribution in four matches. Witte tied the team lead in goals with Angel Ugwumba with each having four on the season. 

José Lucca scored his first goal of the season in the 71st minute when Juan Rojas passed to Pedro Trinidade on the left for a cross into the centerback who headed home the final tally of the match. It was Lucca's third career goal, Rojas's second career assist and Trinidade's first career goal contribution. 

Harrison Shiner stopped the two shots faced in his varsity debut for the clean sheet. 

Faulkner turns to a couple of neutral site contests with Webber International Thursday and Xavier (La.) on Sunday in Fairhope, Ala.  Read Full Article