DALLAS (SMU)— Fredrik Skilberg's hat trick propelled the Mustangs to a 4-1 victory over Temple Friday night at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium.
Skilberg earned his first collegiate hat trick and was the first Mustang to post a three-goal performance since
Jose Ortiz in the season opener.
Skilberg broke the scoreless tie in the 17
th minute, scoring on the right side of the goal off assists from
Alexander Petraeus and
Nikola Djordjevic.
The freshman forward struck twice within 23 seconds in the 26
th minute to extend the Mustang advantage. First, Skilberg cashed in on the left side of the net before securing the hat trick seconds later, scoring in the middle of the goal off his left foot assisted by
Alexander Petraeus and
Knut Ahlander. Skilberg has five goals on the year.
Alexander Petraeus tallied a pair of assists, taking his total to a team-high seven on the year.
Nikola Djordjevic moved his assist total to five and
Bailey Sparks earned his second of the year.
In the 59
th minute, the AAC's leading goal scorer
Knut Ahlander converted on a penalty kick to extend the SMU lead to 4-0.
Ahlander entered the match tied as the NCAA's leading goal scorer. The graduate midfielder has scored at least one goal in six out of the Mustangs' last eight matches. Additionally, Ahlander added two assists.
Temple scored its lone goal of the night in the 85
th minute.
Bram Kaarsgaren was in goal for the Mustangs. The graduate transfer impacted the game early and often, denying two Temple shot attempts in the first 10 minutes on the way to seven saves on 11 shots faced.
SMU is back in action at UCF Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT.
