Senior midfielder Jimmie Villalobos scored a hat trick on Friday afternoon, scoring three goals as the Broncos shut out the Humboldt State Lumberjacks 4-0 at Kellogg Stadium.
While the crowd struggled to stay cool and find shade in the 92-degree weather on Friday, the Broncos did not let the heat stop them from attacking and putting constant pressure on the Lumberjacks.
Villalobos kicked off his scoring only five minutes into the match after receiving a pass from sophomore midfielder Estuardo Zecena and blasting it past the Lumberjacks’ goalkeeper.
The Broncos held their 1-0 lead for the remaining 40 minutes of the half.
The Lumberjacks were ahead 7-5 in shots but could not see past the Broncos’ defense and junior goalkeeper Jordan Aldama.
In the second half, the Broncos cranked up the intensity. In the 56th minute, Villalobos sank his second goal of the afternoon. Sophomore defender Christian Miramontes set Villalobos up with a perfect pass and he managed to sneak it past the goalkeeper.
Only a few minutes later, the roles were reversed as Miramontes found his own way to the back of the net after an assist from Villalobos.
“I saw Jimmie about to cross it and I got in the box. It was a little bit of a scramble, but then I saw the ball just pop out. And I just put anything I could on it and it went in,” Miramontes said.
With only five minutes remaining in the game, Villalobos saw an opportunity to complete his hat trick and buried a shot from 35 yards out, leaving the Broncos with their fifth shutout in conference play. Villalobos’ three goals marked the 12th hat trick in program history.
“I think the second half performance was much better because we didn’t really give (the Lumberjacks) anything. In the first half, we gave them quite a bit,” head coach Matt O’Sullivan said. “We played a little more simple defensively in the second half and then Jimmie’s finishing is incredible; what he does in front of the goal is incredible.”
Villalobos has had quite a successful season, scoring 10 goals in 10 games, but he has fallen off recently, failing to score in the last two games. He made up for it with his three goals on Friday, increasing his season record to 13 goals.
“Coming from two games without scoring, I went into this game with a mentality that I was going to score two or three more goals,” Villalobos said. “Luckily, I got the hat trick … and (it) was fortunate for the team; it was a team effort.”
On Sunday, the Broncos were on fire as they defeated the San Francisco State Gators 7-1 at Kellogg Stadium.
Senior forward Jordan Jackmon got the scoring started in the 13th minute.
Junior midfielder Eduardo Faria made the second goal of the game.
The Gators found an opportunity in the 42nd minute to put a goal on the board.
Senior defender Jason Ramos finished out the first half with his first goal of the season, giving the Broncos a 3-1 lead.
The Broncos entered the second half ready to increase their lead even more.
Seven minutes into the second half, Faria sank his second goal of the match.
Only a few minutes later, junior midfielder Omer Green found the back of the net after an assist from Villalobos.
The goals kept rolling in for the Broncos as sophomore forward Gabriel Castillo added another to the board.
The seventh and final goal was scored by senior defender Ori Kenett who blasted a penalty kick past the Gator’s goalkeeper.
The Broncos’ conference record now stands at 7-1-1. The two wins advanced the Broncos to third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) division II standings.
“From previous years being here, it is always a slow start,” Villalobos said. “Having a new coach implement different techniques and style of play, the results are coming in.”
The Broncos continue their home streak against Cal State East Bay at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Cal State Monterey Bay at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.