ST. LOUIS — Freed-Hardeman University's Avery Flener notched his career's first hat trick on Thursday, but a flurry of goals from the hosting Eutectics of the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy to start the second half saw the match end in a 4-4 draw.

The Lions' (0-2-2) first goal of the match came from Flener's boot at 13:47. Jay Smith send a looping pass toward Flener at the top of the box, where the Eutectic keeper was hoping to erase the threat. Muffing the kick from Smith, the UHSP keeper was scrambling for possession, but Flener was able to pull the ball away before taking a kick at an empty net from 18 yards to put the Lions on top 1-0. Thabo Mahlaha took good advantage of a corner kick in the 23rd minute when his curling kick bounced off of a Eutectic on its way into the net to put the Lions up 2-0.

Any halftime momentum was quickly and decidedly removed when UHSP (0-1-1) potted three goals in the span of four minutes to take a 3-2 lead. The Euts would tally a fourth goal at 62:24 to hold a two-goal cushion and stun the Lions. 

Flener's day was only getting started, taking a pass from Thabo Mahlaha in stride before muscling his way past the last remaining defender. Toeing it with his left foot, Flener's second goal of the day went by the keeper making a diving effort to his left at 66:10. 

Thabo Mahlaha made a brilliant evasive move at 76:47, flicking the ball high over the charging keeper's head, nearly finding the net, but hitting the crossbar. Flener was right there to clean up the rebound, tally the hat trick, and draw the scores level.

Avery Flener's three goals were among his five shots on goal, making up half of the 10 shots he attempted in the match. Thabo Mahlaha picked up four points with a goal and a pair of assists, while Jay Smith garnered one assists. FHU out-shot UHSP 23-14, with Orlando Whiteside, Jr. making three saves in the draw.
 

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Up Next

The Lions next hit the field on friendlier turf on Saturday, September 2, in their home opener against Fisk (Tenn.) University. The Lions and Bulldogs will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Immediately preceding the match, Freed-Hardeman University will celebrate the naming of the surfaces within the Josh Riley Soccer Complex. The main pitch, Walker-Patterson Field, the practice pitch, David Craft Memorial Field, and the drive approaching the complex now named Kersey Lane.