(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Trick or treat? How about both?
Luis Jiminez (So., Carabobo, Venezuela / Taylor Allderdice) scored a hat trick and
Jace Williams (So., Chesapeake, Va. / Hickory) added two goals himself to help Wilson defeat Gallaudet in the regular season finale on Saturday. The result gave the Phoenix a treat as they earned the final playoff spot in the United East Championship next week.
Making the win extra sweet was the Phoenix matched the 2016 and 2017 teams for the most wins in a single season in program history.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 5, Gallaudet 0
Venue: Hotchkiss Field
Records: Wilson 6-11-0, 2-6-0 UE; Gallaudet 2-14-0, 1-7-0 UE
How It Happened
- It didn't take the Phoenix long to get hot as Williams put them on the scoreboard in the 11th minute. Bryson Curtis (So., Fairfax, Va. / Oakton) set up the goal with a beautiful pass from midfield past the Bison back line to Williams breaking towards the net. Williams then beat the Gallaudet keeper on the right side for the score.
- A set piece provided Wilson with a 2-0 lead in the 34th minute. Eric Arbogast (So., Duncansville, Pa. / Hollidaysburg) took the corner and found Jiminez unmarked on the near post. A low send-in allowed Jimenez to get his left foot on it and redirect it just inside the post.
- Williams and Jimenez connected for the Wilson's third goal in the 58th minute. Williams found Jimenez wide open on the left side and he was able to cross it over and squeeze it inside the far post.
- Jimenez wasn't finished as he completed the natural hat trick just 40 seconds later. After intercepting a misplayed ball by the Bison, he dribbled in and went to the upper left 90 from about 15 yards out for a 4-0 lead.
- Williams put the finishing touches on the game with his second goal in the 75th minute. Landon Howe (So., Martinsburg, W.Va. / St. Maria Goretti) set up the opportunity by sending a pass up the right side. It almost went out of bounds, but Williams was able to save it and slipped it by the keeper from a tough angle on the end line.
Inside The Numbers
- Jimenez's hattie was the first for the Phoenix since Brian Mulholland (Jr., Oracle, Ariz. / Canyon del Oro) scored three in a win against Mary Baldwin on September 23, 2023. Jimenez's natural hat trick was the first for the Phoenix since Ethan Russ scored the first three goals in a 4-0 win against Valley Forge on September 17, 2017.
- Wilson outshot Gallaudet 23-1 with nine on target.
- Wilson is now 4-0-2 all-time against the Bison.
- The Phoenix qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2018 where they advanced to the CSAC Championship final. It will be just the third postseason appearance for the Phoenix in program history.
Up Next
Wilson will enter the postseason as the No. 12 seed in the United East Championship. The first round game for the Phoenix will see them travel to fifth-seeded Saint Elizabeth. The two just played each other last week with the Eagles taking a 2-0 decision on Wilson Weekend.
