Wolverine Soccer: Palumbo's Hat Trick Propels BA to Victory in Season Opener

The Bridgton Academy Soccer team kicked off their first regular season game with a 4-0 victory over Bowdoin College. In what Coach Mellon described as, “a very good win, against a deep team,” the Wolverines controlled play in the first, with the offense constantly pressuring the Bowdoin defense. BA was able to finally break through and get on the board, after several narrow misses, including hitting two posts, when Omar Khartabil (Hampstead, NH), caught the defense off guard and sent a direct kick into the bottom right corner in the 33rd minute for the eventual game winner.
The start of the second half saw Bowdoin controlling the ball on the Bridgton side of the field, but the defense was able to preserve the shut out, including shutting down a great scoring opportunity for Bowdoin, which had an indirect kick inside the 18 yard mark.
From that point on Rob Palumbo (Kingston, NH), took over. Palumbo scored three goals within 10 minutes. In the 66th minute Rob found the back of the net on a pass from twin brother Steve Palumbo (Kingston, NH). Four minutes later Rob scored again, with the assist going to Ethan Martin (South Burlington, VT). Palumbo was able to complete the hat trick by finishing a ball that Khartabil played down the line in the 75th minute.
The score could have been even more lopsided if it were not for the exceptional goal tending of the Bowdoin keeper, who turned away three consecutive shots from point blank. Ryne Tillman (Bedford, MA) collected the shut out victory in goal by stopping seven shots. Rob Palumbo finished the day with six points, Khartabil had three. Ethan Martin, and Steve Palumbo each had one assist. The Wolverines are on the road for their next game against Providence Country Day School on the 12th.
Thank you to Kevin Lombard (Josh Lombard's Dad) for providing the photography.