The Braves won their first match since 2006 with a 4-1 drubbing of Evanston Thursday evening amid snow flurries and and a soggy field. JonScherbel performed the hat trick for Star Valley with three goals.

Star Valley came back from Casper after a 1-0 loss to Natrona, convinced that they were onto something good. So, when Evanston’s Kyle Armstrong notched the game’s first goal in the 10th minute, the Crimson and Gold didn’t panic.

Instead, junior forward Drew Hathaway tied the game just five minutes later in the 15th minute, assisted by Igor Dugat. Dugat was busy, assisting the first of Scherbel’s goals in the 23rd minute to give the Braves a lead they would not relinquish.

Scherbel fought through the Red Devil defense all match long andnotched his second goal in the 32nd minute off an assist by senior Kelly Ponciano.

Leading 3-1 at the break, Scherbel, along with Skyler Heiner pressured the Evanston defense and Joakim Wicksell assisted on the game’s final goal, coming in the 50th minute.

While the Braves have had three ties and several one-goal losses over the course of their drought, they had not been able to put together a win, but they controlled the action for the vast majority of the match although the shots on goal finished with similar number as Star Valley collected 17 to Evanston’s 16.

Senior keeper Kitrick Galloway collected nine saves, including one late in the first half which he punched up and over the crossbar in impressive fashion.

Goals: Evanston: Kyle Armstrong, 10th Minute; Star Valley:Drew Hathaway, 15th Minute, Jon Scherbel, 23rd Minute, Jon Scherbel, 32nd Minute, Jon Scherbel, 50th Minute

Assists: Star Valley: Igor Dugat (2), Kelly Ponciano (1), Joakim Wicksell (1)

Penalty Kicks: SV- 4, Evanston- 2

Corner Kicks:SV- 3, Evanston 6

Shots on Goal:SV- 17, Evanston 16

Saves:SV- 9 (Kitrick Galloway), Evanston- 6 (Kason Belnap)

 

 Braves beat Devils 4-1: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download