Sterling Copeland's Hat Trick Helps Lead Rangers to 5-4 Victory Over Western Washington

Denver, Colo.: Sophomore forward Sterling Copeland had a hat trick, scoring three goals, to help lead the Rangers to a 5-4 victory over Western Washington University Monday in Denver.

Just one minute and six seconds into the game senior Jordan Finley scored his first goal of the season and the first of the game giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead. The Regis offense penetrated the Viking goal and kicked the ball around until Finley got a clear shot putting the ball in the upper left corner of the net.

Nine minutes later the Rangers increased their lead to two when Copeland scored on an assist from sophomore Nathan Kafer. Kafer was was within the 18 yard box when he tapped a pass behind him and through a Viking defender right into the feet of Copeland who drove it into the net.

Copeland and Kafer teamed up again three minutes later to make the score 3-0 Regis. Kafer was knocked down by a defender but regained posession and dribbled down the left side to about 25 yards in when he passed to Copeland who dribbled in for the shot.

Western Washington tightened the gap to two when Matt Pele scored on an assist from Joel Grossman. The Vikings scored again at the 30:16 mark to make the score 3-2. Michael Ricci and Brendan Quilici assisted Kellan Brown on the goal.

Regis widened their lead to two again when Ben Buhler dribbled in from about fourty yards out and shot from just outside the box sending the ball into the upper left corner of the net. Regis led 4-2 going into the half.

Just over seven minutes into the second period Western Washington came within one when Gibson Bardsley scored for the Vikings. Michael Ricci assisted on the play.

Copeland scored his third goal of the game at the 55:17 mark when he headed in a pass from Chris Camp who was served from Tyler Waggoner. 

Vikings' Samir Vejo headed in a cross from Oscar Jimenez at the 58:58 mark to make the score 5-4 Regis. Neither team would score agian making Jiminez's goal the last one of the game.

The Rangers outshot the Vikings 20 to 19 with 11 of their shots being on goal. Western Washington had five shots on goal.

Regis will host Fort Lewis College Oct. 3 with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.

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