Garcia Sets Single-Game Goals and Points Records as Men’s Soccer Runs Past Pratt  

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Sophomore Kenneth Garcia (Elmhurst, N.Y./Bayside) found the back of the net five times to lead the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's soccer team to an 8-0 triumph over Clinton Hill rivals Pratt Institute on Friday evening at Aviator Field.

Also assisting on two other goals, Garcia broke a program record for goals and points (12) that stood since 2011. The eight goals were the most scored and the largest margin of victory since an 11-3 rout of Webb on September 30, 2014. Garcia's 12 points are the most in Division III men's soccer this season (entering the weekend) and his five tallies ties two others as the DIII season best.

The Bears (5-13) snap a four-game skid with a victory in their non-league finale.

How it Happened

Brandon Georges (Brooklyn, N.Y./New Utrecht) opened the scoring with a strike in the 22nd minute and Garcia added another in the 36th minute to cap 2-0 first period of play that saw the Bears outshoot the Cannoneers 7-4.

Garcia scored in the 62nd minute and 74th minutes to complete his first collegiate hat-trick.

With the Bears leading 4-0 with 10 minutes to play, the navy and gray scored four more times before the final whistle to double their lead. Garcia scored his record-tying goal in the 81st minute and after goals by Matthews Avendano (East Elmhurst, N.Y./Msgr. McClancy) in the 85th and 88th minutes, Garcia broke the record with 55 seconds to play, beating the keeper in a 1v1 situation.

For the Bears

• Garcia was efficient, scoring on all but one of his six recorded shot attempts. He also assisted on both late Avendano goals to become the first Bear to record double-digit points in a game. With two games remaining, Garcia still leads the Skyline with 16 goals and 37 points.
• Avendano scored his first two collegiate goals with his lone two shots.
• Joseph Sepulveda (East Elmhurst, N.Y./Bayside) and Thomas Mastoras (Flushing, N.Y./Francis Lewis) both registered assists. For Sepulveda, it was his league-high-tying eighth of the season with Mastoras one behind him in fourth place.
• Alejandro Oliveros (Brooklyn, N.Y./Grover Cleveland) made three saves to record his first collegiate shutout.

Next up for the Bears

The Bears wrap a three-game stretch in four days returning to Aviator Field to host SUNY Old Westbury on Sunday (Oct. 21) in their home finale and Senior Day game for Matthias Spiegel. Kickoff is set for noon with live stats and video available on SJCBears.com.