Soccer stars Ben Polk hat-trick as the Orange beat Pitt 5-0

Junior forward Ben Polk scored a hat-trick which highlighted a  5-0 Syracuse rout of Pittsburgh on Friday night at the SU Soccer Stadium. The Orange earned their first ACC victory and moved their season record to 5-2-1 and 1-1-1 in conference play, while the Panthers are 4-3-1 and 0-3. 

"The most important thing was getting three points in the ACC," Polk said. "Three goals, though, I felt a little bit spoiled tonight."

The Orange outshot the Panthers 19-2 and it seemed like every cross was volleyed to the back of the net. Neither of Pitt's shots were on goal. 

Polk's hat-trick was the first for an SU player since Emil Ekbolm in the 2013 season. They were also the first three goals of his D1 career, as he is a transfer from Herkimer College.

By the 57th minute,  SU was able to get its second team on the field, and they held the game at its final score. 

Olyvind Alseth had three assists and is the first Orange player to do so since 2001. 

Polk's last shot was most impressive as he dribbled alongside two defenders to the right side of the box and smashed a left-footed shot by the keeper's low dive.

The first goal of the match came at the 36 minute mark of the first half when the ball was placed in the box by Olyvind Alseth and then Ben Polk made a touch-pass to Noah Rynhart who shot to the right side of Pitt. goalie Dan Lynd who's momentum was taking him to the left. 

Seven minutes later Alseth again crossed one over the net and it found Polk who quickly lined a shot by the post on a volley to make it 2-0.

Within one minute of each other, Polk and Julian Buescher each scored to make it three and four to zero, respectively, around the 55 minute mark.

"We talk about our guys up front being like the tip of a sword and ultimately they get evaluated by scoring goals, and they did that tonight," head coach Ian McIntyre said. "Tonight was a good performance."

The Orange will travel to Hamilton, N.Y. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 to face Colgate next.