Men's Soccer Report (Week 8) - Transy on Verge of 2nd-Straight HCAC Title

GREENWOOD, IN - Transylvania University notched a pair of shutout wins to remain in first place.  The Pioneers (9-4-3, 6-0-1 HCAC) handed Hanover and Franklin a pair of 3-0 losses last week and can clinch a second-straight league title with wins over Mount St. Joseph and Anderson this week.

Transylvania's Christian King (Nicholasville, Ky./East Jessamine) posted a hat trick in Transy's 3-0 win over Franklin Saturday.  The sophomore midfielder scored all three of the Pioneers' goals in the win, running his season total to six. 

Transy currently holds a one point lead over Rose-Hulman in the standings with Mount St. Joseph remaining four points off the pace.

Rose-Hulman also registered a pair of league wins to stay within striking distance of the league-leading Pioneers.  The Engineers (12-5, 6-1 HCAC) have won seven in a row and have not lost since September 27.

Senior Clint Vatterrodt (Bloomington, Ill./University) scored a combined three goals in Rose-Hulman's 2-1 win at Anderson and the team's 3-0 victory over Bluffton on Saturday. 

Vatterrodt booted his 16th goal of the season to open the scoring at Anderson and then tallied his 17th score in overtime to secure a key road victory.  At Bluffton on Saturday, Vatterrodt scored the second goal of a 3-0 win for his HCAC-leading 18th of the year.

Mount St. Joseph will look to lock up a spot in next week's HCAC tournament with a win this week.  The Lions (7-9, 5-2 HCAC) have won four in a row, including wins over Franklin and Defiance last week.

MSJ needs a win to lock up a spot in the tournament field and will face Transylvania and Manchester this week.

Earlham, Anderson, Manchester, Defiance, Franklin, and Hanover all remain alive for a spot in the four-team HCAC tournament.

For a complete recap of Week 8 in HCAC Men's Soccer, click here