By Aaron Tandatnick ‘22

The boys varsity soccer team beat Trinity-Pawling 6-1 on Oct. 23, and with a combined five goals, Michael Leon ‘21 and Mo Nuhu ‘23 led the charge.

Leon recorded a hat trick for the Bearcats (6-5-2), and Nuhu scored twice and assisted once. Federico Arengi Bentivoglio ‘22 had a goal along with an assist. Cyrus Farman-Farmaian ‘21 and captain Asa Tuke ‘21 also had an assist.

Aside from Hotchkiss firing on offense, the defense also played a key role in the win. Strong contributions from center back James Bushell ‘22 and defender Debo Salako ‘20 allowed for Trinity-Pawling to take a total of only six shots.

The Bearcats started hot, scoring two goals in the first five minutes of the match. Bentivoglio tucked the ball into the top-right corner of the net in the second minute, and then Tuke assisted Leon for a goal two minutes later and a 2-0 lead.

Despite being the focus of the T-P defense, Leon and Nuhu used their skill and pace to score the next three goals for Hotchkiss. Nuhu hit his first goal of the match in the 16th minute, which was followed by a goal by Leon ten minutes later. In the 37th minute Nuhu assisted Leon for his third goal of the game and 5-0 halftime margin.

Hotchkiss and Trinity Pawling scored a goal apiece in the second half. For the Bearcats, Farman-Farmaian found Nuhu in the 47th minute for a finesse-shot goal. Trinity Pawling would tally a late goal of their own in the 80th minute.

For their next match, the Bearcats go on the road to visit Loomis Chaffee on Oct. 26.