WAYNE, N.J. (10/19/19) – Max Acosta netted a natural hat-trick off the bench as the Kean University men's soccer team recorded a 3-0 shutout victory over William Paterson on Saturday evening.

Felix Pereyra, Sam Griffis and Fanor Arango all assisted on Acosta's goals for the Cougars who improve to 9-4-2 overall and 3-1-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Thomas Hatch collected eight saves for the Pioneers who fall to 6-6-3 overall and 2-2-2 in the NJAC.  

Acosta scored two in the opening stanza as Kean held a 2-0 halftime advantage. The Cougars started off with a goal in the 19^th minute as Pereyra made a flick in allowing Acosta to beat a charging goalkeeper. Kean scored just before the intermission as Acosta took a quick shot off a Griffis pass at the right corner of the box.

Acosta completed his hat-trick in the 52^nd minute as Arango played the ball up for Acosta to finish in the center of the box.

Kean outshot William Paterson (16-4) and edged the Pioneers on corner kicks (3-2). Acosta tallied a match-high eight shots, while Daniel Calderon, Phil Lopes, Jake Santos, Felipe Lucas, Alex Nicol, Pereyra, Calvin Carbajal and Shervand Hippolyte all tallied one shot apiece. Dillion Konzelmann made two saves in 90 minutes of work.

Head Coach Peter-John Falloon and the Cougars will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 23^rd, hosting the Roadrunners of Ramapo College at 3:00 p.m.