Senior midfielder Ethan Bandick bagged a hat trick as Class 1A No. 2 University got off to a strong start in its Sectional 40 title defense Monday night, defeating International 6-0 at Heritage Christian.
The Trailblazers (11-3-2) got ahead early, scoring in the sixth minute when senior forward Sam Gailey played a pass square for senior midfielder Ethan Bandick near the top of the penalty area. Bandick dribbled a couple defenders, then finished past the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead.
University continued to carry play, but had to wait until the 24th minute to extend the advantage. Bandick was the instigator again, dribbling the Gryphons back line before squaring for senior forward Dawson Estep, who stabbed home past the International goalkeeper.
The Trailblazers didn’t take long to add a pair of insurance goals — Bandick took on half the Gryphons squad en route to a 26th-minute goal from the edge of the area, then four minutes later, senior midfielder/defender Quentin Barry followed up his own shot off the post with a cool finish to make it 4-0 to the defending sectional champion.
That margin held through halftime, though it wasn’t for a lack of trying, as Gailey was through 1v1 with the goalkeeper in the 38th minute, but saw his shot saved.
The pressure continued in the second half, as sophomore forward Roman Sally and senior forward Michael Bounsall each had efforts saved from close range in the 45th minute, with Bounsall looking to follow up on Sally’s initial effort, before Bandick fired a long-range shot just over the bar one minute later.
University finally got that 5-0 lead in the 48th minute, and it came from a set piece. Gailey won a corner kick after nutmegging an International defender, then took the corner himself, sending a perfect ball in to the back post that Bounsall rose to head into the back of the net.
The Trailblazers kept their foot on the gas and nearly extended their lead in the 53rd minute. Gailey flicked a back-heel pass to Bandick, whose shot on target was expertly saved. University kept the pressure on closing down the match and got the score to the 6-0 final in the 66th minute, when Bandick completed his hat trick by getting the last touch on a scrappy corner kick goal.
University’s sectional title defense will continue Wednesday night at 5 p.m., taking on Park Tudor in the first semi-final. The Panthers won the initial meeting between the squads in August, 6-2. The hosts, No. 3 Heritage Christian, will play Sheridan in the other semi.
Park Tudor beat Shortridge 3-1 in the other Monday night game.
