JOPLIN - Senior defender Jacob Hawes recorded his first career hat trick and assisted on another goal, helping trigger the William Woods University Owls' 6-0 season-opening romp over Ozark Christian College on Tuesday night.
William Woods raced out to a fast start, scoring in the first minute when Hawes assisted on a goal by sophomore midfielder-forward Anthony Moscatello. Hawes then made it 2-0 just a minute later when he scored off an assist from senior midfielder Paulo Conelian.
Hawes provided his second goal in the 21st minute when he found the net off senior midfielder Luca Stroeter's corner kick. The Owls carried a 4-0 edge into halftime when junior defender-midfielder Alex Severino scored in the 31st minute on Conelian's second assist.
In the second half, another corner kick from Stroeter resulted in Hawes' third and last goal on a header that ricocheted off the far post and into the net. Senior midfielder Daniel Paez then punctuated William Woods' scoring with a goal in the final 5 minutes.
A pair of goalkeepers - freshman Connor Cable and sophomore Ivan Monterrubio - combined to record the shutout for the Owls, who outshot Ozark Christian College by a decisive 23-1 margin.
William Woods hosts an exhibition match against NCAA Division II Maryville University at 7 p.m. Friday at Firley Field.