OTTAWA, Kan. - Senior midfielder Alex Severino's first collegiate hat trick accounted for all of the William Woods University Owls soccer team's scoring as it resisted the Ottawa University Braves 3-2 on Saturday night.
William Woods University (2-1) bolted to a fast start on Severino's unassisted goal in the 5th minute. He then made it 2-0 in the 51st minute when he scored off an assist from sophomore midfielder Lendell Louis-Jacques' assist.
Ottawa (0-5) cut its deficit in half on Kyler Grimes' goal in the 55th minute, but Severino answered with his fifth goal of the season - keyed by junior midfielder Brett Hodges' assist - in the 60th minute to put the Owls on top 3-1.
The Braves countered a little more than a minute later with a goal from Ross Anderson, but William Woods was able to preserve the victory.
The Owls outshot Ottawa 17-8 and also had a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. William Woods had the only corner kick in the match.
Sophomore goalkeeper Conor Cable surrendered two goals but made one save in 67 minutes of play to claim the win for the Owls.
William Woods seeks its third straight victory when it returns home to face Central Methodist University at 7 tonight at Firley Field.