SHREVEPORT, La. - It was an early barrage of goals for the Gents, but the Warriors finished regulation with the same result as Centenary (2-13-3) tied Hendrix (3-15-1) 4-4 (2 OT) in the final home game of the season for the Maroon and White Tuesday night, October 24.
For the second-straight game, it was a battle for the team lead in goals. However, junior Nick Hammond came out on top thanks to the 17th hat trick in Gents history - the first since Aaron Volanski vs. IUPUI in 2007.
Centenary opened the scoring in the sixth minute when sophomore Scott Halper put a through ball in near post, and Hammond shot across the box to momentarily tie Halper for the team lead in goals. Halper retook the lead on the team when a ball cleared to midfield was put into the box by freshman Greg Petreas. The ball found Halper for his fifth goal of the season.
After Hendrix answered back in the 13th minute, Hammond netted his second goal of the game. A Petreas corner deflected off a defender right to Hammond, who scored straight on to give Centenary another two-goal advantage.
The Gents were awarded a penalty kick in the 69th minute. Hammond took the attempt, and easily faked out the goalie for his sixth goal of the season.
However, three goals by the Warriors in the final nine minutes sent the game into overtime. It all started with Josh Robbins penalty kick goal in the 82nd minute. Freshman Alec Melvin was able to get a hand on it, but it squirted in the cut the lead to two. A minute later, Patrick Bell scored to bring the visitors within one.
Gordon Perrin scored the equalizer in the 87th minute, and neither team had a shot on goal the rest of regulation. Centenary put two shots on target in the first overtime, while Hendrix managed one in the second overtime, but neither team scored the golden goal.
Hendrix outshot Centenary 25-19, but the Gents led 12-11 in shots on goal. Sophomore Lamarr Meza started in goal for Centenary and made five saves, while Josh Newman played the final 65 minutes in goal for Hendrix with four saves.
Centenary closes out the 2017 season Saturday at Austin College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
