Grothaus records hat trick as Cincinnati State clinches post season tournament berth

By Nick Novy/Cincinnati State Sports Information

Cincinnati, OH---Cincinnati State sophomore Kyle Grothaus scored a hat trick in the first half of the Surge's 5-1 victory over Lake Michigan College on Sunday.
 
Playing on a saturated field and heavy showers, the Surge entered the game poised to clinch a postseason tournament berth with a win.

Grothaus put the Surge up 1-0 in the 10th minute off a cross from Brad Schluter. Freshman Trae Collins scored his first goal of the season in the 27th. Grothaus would score his second and third goal of the games within a 45 second span. Grothaus converted on a rebound attempt after Bradley Gale's shot deflected off the post. Taking a pass from Grant Geigle and beating the Lake Michigan goalie from 20 yards out, Grothaus recorded his second hat trick of the season. Brad Gale, who is second on the team in scoring, scored his 11th goal of the year in the 89th.

"Kyle beat his man consistently all day long," Cincinnati State head coach Mike Combs said. "As a team, our speed and tempo was the major difference today. Earning a spot in the postseason, our attention and focus now turns to closing out the season strong. We have a tough test waiting for us next weekend on the road against Schoolcraft."

Grothaus, who picked up two goals in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Muskegon, now leads the Surge in scoring and is ranked 17th in the nation in goals.

Cincinnati State keeper Brandon Isaacs and the Surge defense allowed just 6 shots on net and narrowly missed a shutout victory as Lake Michigan's Luke Guy found the back of the net with 30 seconds remaining in the game.
 
The Surge, which are currently ranked No. 8 in the NJCAA national poll with a 11-1-2 overall record, return to action on Sunday when the team travels to play rival Schoolcraft Community College. The Cincinnati State soccer program has yet to win a road game at Schoolcraft.
 
For more information on Cincinnati State soccer, please visit - http://www.cincinnatistate.edu/on-campus/athletics/mens-soccer-1
 
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