Forestal’s Hat Trick, Backheel Assist Lead Chargers Past No. 10 Prairie State

GALESBURG — Jean Forestal had a hat trick and an assist as the Carl Sandburg College men's soccer team knocked off 10^th-ranked Prairie State 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Kleine Field.

The Chargers (4-3-1 overall, 3-3-1 Region IV) never trailed in the match and held on after a last-second attempt by the Pioneers (10-2) went into the net just moments after the final whistle.

Forestal started the scoring in the 16^th minute as his turned and ripped a shot in the box that deflected off a Prairie State defender. It looked as though the shot would sail over the goal, but the deflection created topspin that led to the ball bouncing into the net for a 1-0 Sandburg lead.

The Pioneers evened the score just seconds later, but Forestal corralled a loose ball following an attempt by Saul Etienne and put it away for a 2-1 lead in the 26^th minute. Forestal extended the Chargers' advantage to 3-1 in the 66^th minute as the Pioneers' keeper mishandled a ball near the top of the box. Forestal, who was challenging the keeper on the play, controlled the ball and tapped it in for an easy goal.

After Prairie State got within 3-2 in the 77^th minute, Forestal fed Guylberson Camille for a spectacular goal just moments later to regain a two-goal advantage for Sandburg. Following a restart near midfield, Forestal made a backheel pass to Camille, who rifled a shot inside the left post in the 78^th minute.

Prairie State cut the lead to one again in the 88^th minute, but the Chargers were able to hang on for the victory. Benjamin Hilton made six saves in net for Sandburg in the win, including five stops in the second half.

The hat trick was the fourth for Forestal in his career. He had three last season, including a pair of four-goal efforts. It was also the fourth multi-goal game for Forestal this fall.

UP NEXT FOR SANDBURG
2 p.m. Saturday at Morton 

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