Temple University Athletics
DONATELLI HAT-TRICK LEADS MEN'S SOCCER OVER DAYTON IN A-10 SEMIFINALS
11.12.04 | Men's Soccer
-- Junior Tony Donatelli, left off the first team all-conference squad, is leaving his mark on this A-10 Championship. The
"It feels great," said an elated Donatelli on the win. "This is the biggest game so far this season. We wanted to get to the finals again and we just needed to step it up. Everybody played great today and we are ready for Sunday.
Donatelli has been on fire of late on the offensive end. The Owls' leading scorer has scored four of his team-high six goals over the last week, and has had a hand in every goal
"You always want to get credit for what you have done," said Donatelli, who earned second team all-conference honors for the second straight season. "We have great players on the first time and I maybe did not have the stats. I just wanted to come out and get the win for the guys."
Donatelli's first goal came off a direct kick right outside the
"It is always tough when you are playing from behind in conditions like this," said
The Owl midfielder then finished a pass in front of the box from senior Nate Webb in the 38th minute to give
The hat-trick, which tied an A-10 record for goals in a tournament game, was completed in the 80th minute as Donatelli converted on a penalty kick. The PK was awarded due to Webb being fouled in the box by Troop.
Senior Patrick Hannigan also tied an A-10 record with his second shutout of the tournament. The Owl keeper, who recorded two saves in the match, now has eight shutouts on the season and 20 for his career.
"From the start we were really focused," said MacWilliams. "We had a talk before the game on what we wanted to do. We made a commitment to the four seniors that we wanted to come down and win the games and that we were not coming off the field until we had a win."
