Bell Tallies Hat Trick in No. 11 Men’s Soccer Shutout Over Oakland

Box Score | Championship Fund

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Matthew Bell tallies first-career hat trick, Alvaro Garcia-Pascual added a pair of assists, as the No. 11 Marshall University men's soccer team blanked the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 4-0, in its 2023 season opener.

"We were ready to go," Herd men's soccer head coach Chris Grassie said after his side's opening shutout. "Preseason was great. Obviously, the trip to Brazil helped massively. It helped the chemistry early on with what we're doing."

Bell didn't wait long to open the scoring with the sophomore taking a pass from Adam Aoumaich and placing the ball in the back of the goal just a minute and 33 seconds into the match.

The MAC Herman Trophy Watch List nominee then sent a rebound off a Garcia-Pascual saved shot in the 15th minute for a brace to make it 2-0. Then after sending a few shots either off the crossbar or wide, Bell sent a Garcia-Pascual pass past the Oakland keeper in the 64^th minute for the first hat trick of his Herd career.

"I don't think about that kind of stuff, I'd rather the team be more successful than me," Bell said after his three-goal performance. "If it comes, I'll take it, but I'm just hoping for the team's success."

With two assists in the win, Garcia-Pascual doubled his helper count from the 2022 season after transferring from Coastal Carolina.

"You feel the pressure when you wear this shirt," Garcia-Pascual said after his two-assist debut for the Herd. "We have a great atmosphere in the locker room, and I think it showed on the field as well. I think we'll play great football. We'll keep going and focus on Wright State."

Aymane Sordo then added icing on the cake at the 77:13 mark as he chipped the keeper for Marshall's fourth goal of the contest off a Theo Godard through ball on their debuts in the 'Green and White' after both transferred from Gardner-Webb in the offseason.

In addition to the dominant offense, MU's defense allowed just five shots, none on goal, in the first 90 minutes of the season.

NEXT UP
Marshall is back in action with another match at Hoops Family Field on Monday against Wright State at 7:15 p.m.

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---HerdZone.com---

Bell Tallies Hat Trick in No. 11 Men’s Soccer Shutout Over Oakland

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Team Stats

Matthew Bell

Aymane Sordo

Alvaro Garcia-Pascual

Adam Aoumaich

Players Mentioned

Adam Aoumaich

Matthew Bell

Alvaro Garcia-Pascual

Theo Godard

Aymane Sordo

Marshall University Athletics