TERRE HAUTE, IND. – Three quick goals before the 30-minute mark sealed it early for the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology men's soccer team, who controlled Wednesday's match for a 3-0 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Franklin College.
The Engineers (8-4-3, 5-0-1) take over sole possession of first place in the HCAC with the victory after previous leader Hanover (5-1) fell to Mount St. Joseph Wednesday night.
Freshman Brad Rostron (Westlake, Texas/Southlake Carroll) struck first for the Engineers, finishing a cross from senior teammate Ben Green (Frisco, Texas/Centennial) in front of the Franklin goal in the 10th minute.
The Engineers continued their crisp early play with a beautiful cross in the 24th minute from senior Max Brown (Atlanta, Ga./Chamblee Charter) made it to teammate William Senat (Edmond, Okla./North) in the middle, who passed the ball off to senior Drew Belk (Jasper, Ind./Jasper) for a point-blank goal from the left post.
Belk would strike for his 11th goal of the season three minutes later, turning and firing around a Franklin defender outside the 18-foot box to put Rose-Hulman up 3-0 in the 26th minute. Senior teammate Spencer Johnson (Yorkville, Ill./Aurora Christian) delivered the assist on the play.
RHIT keepers Junior Drew Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick) and senior Alec Houpt (Chesterton, Ind./Chesteron) would keep Franklin scoreless for the rest of the contest, as Miller recorded two saves.
Rose-Hulman outshot the Grizzlies (4-8-2, 2-4 HCAC) 19-9 for the contest and held a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Engineers enter Saturday's key HCAC matchup with Hanover on a hot streak, as Rose-Hulman has won five of its last six matches, with the last loss coming against North Park on Sept. 28.
Saturday's match will begin at 3 p.m. at the Intramural Field, following the women's contest.
