Box Score HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A University of Alabama in Huntsville men's soccer player recorded a hat trick for the first time since 2011, and it belonged to the person who last performed the feat as Kyle Simmons scored three times to propel UAH to a 3-0 win over visiting Union on Friday night. The Chargers improve to 5-3-1 (3-3-0 GSC) with the big win, while Union slips to 3-4-1 (1-4-1 GSC).
 
The last time a Charger scored three times was on Sept. 1, 2011, against Talladega when the Huntsville native Simmons tallied three goals in his collegiate debut. After Friday's terrific performance, Simmons now has 27 goals for his career which moves him into a tie for eighth in program history in goals scored.
 
The win marked the third straight for UAH, and the team also posted its third consecutive clean sheet as the Chargers limited Union to just five shots in the game. The one shot on goal for the visiting side was stopped by Michael Winstone who split the shutout with starter Will Carpenter who was not tested much in the more than 71 minutes that he played.
 
Starting the scoring in the 14th minute, Anthony Benitez made a strong run down the right of the box, fending off a Union defender before pushing it over to Simmons who was in front and able to deposit it in the back of the net to provide the early 1-0 lead.
 
Benitez now sits on top of the team in assists, notching his fifth of the season on the goal.
 
Directly behind him in the assists column is Huntsville native Mitch Wilson who started the local connection once again in the 33rd minute as he beat a diving Union defender and then passed it to Simmons who buried it home, giving Wilson his fourth helper of the year.
 
The Chargers notched the final goal of the night in the 61st minute when Yuri Ivanov just missed on a strong attempt as he hit the near post, but the ball caromed to Simmons who fired it home to complete the three-goal night.
 
For the game, UAH outshot Union 12-5 including a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal, and the Chargers took four corner kicks while not conceding any to the Bulldogs.
 
The Chargers will take the winning streak back on the road now on Tuesday when the squad travels to Chattanooga, Tenn., to face Lee. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. CDT.