WINONA, Minn. -- Mizael Harris (SR, Happy Valley, Ore./La Salle Catholic College Prep HS) claimed his second career hat trick, scoring three goals for the No. 5-ranked Augsburg University men's soccer team in its 4-1 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win at Saint Mary's University on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 4, Saint Mary's 1
LOCATION: Ochrymowycz Field, Winona, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 9-0-0 overall (2-0-0 MIAC), Saint Mary's 1-5-2 overall (0-2-0 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Harris scored his first goal of the game just 5:37 into play, scoring from the penalty spot following a steal in the 18-yard box by Mitchel Munzing (SR, Portland, Ore./Grant HS).
• The Cardinals tied the game in the 21st minute -- just the second goal surrendered by Augsburg in its nine games so far this season -- but Harris capped his hat trick with a pair of goals in a 14-minute span in the second half.
• In the 51st minute, Munzing fought off two Saint Mary's defenders to collect the ball at the top of the penalty box, then slid a pass left to Harris, who connected on a rising one-timer to the right corner to give the Auggies the lead. 
• Harris completed his hat trick in the 65th minute. Carver Tierney (SR, Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo HS) sparked an Auggie counterattack, feeding the ball in his own third of the field ahead to a sprinting Munzing, who drew two defenders in and passed the ball right to a wide-open Harris, who popped the ball over a charging goalkeeper to the goal.
• Christopher Plaza Alvarado (SO, New Brighton, Minn./St. Anthony Village HS) capped the scoring with a goal on a penalty kick in the 88th minute.
• Augsburg outshot  Saint Mary's by a 14-10 margin in the game, including an 8-4 advantage in the second half. Goalkeeper Christian Hodges (FY, New Albany, Ohio/Tree of Life Christian School) had four saves. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• Harris now has 27 goals and 28 assists for 82 points in his 61 career games, moving into a tie for sixth place in school history in career goals and third in career points. His 28 career assists are second-most in school history.
• Augsburg is ranked No. 5 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division III national rankings -- its highest ranking in program history.

QUOTES FROM AUGSBURG COACH GREG HOLKER
• "That was an irritating first half, and completely our own fault. We were slow, disoriented in our rest defense, and we got outworked by Saint Mary's. To be 1-1 was what we earned, and that was no where near our standard."
• "In the second half, we were much quicker in our possession and more methodical in breaking down SMU. The goals Mizael Harris scored were all smart, efficient goals provided by Mitchell Munzing and good team organization and mobility. Chris Plaza Alvarado provided the spark we needed with his performance both on and off the ball. He deserved to be on the spot and score the penalty in the waning moments."
• "Our bench was more positive and proactive, and we got some really good minutes from David Riera, Jacob Thao, and Diego Veit in midfield -- they were instrumental in calming the game."
• "This was the start of a five game road swing. We have a short turnaround before playing Tuesday at UW-River Falls, and then we get some time to breathe and prepare for the second half of the season."

FOR THE FOES
• Cohan Hare scored from Thomas Laaksonen in the 21st minute for Saint Mary's.
• Cardinal goalkeeper Ryan Horlock had three saves.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg travels to face the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in a nonconference game on Monday (9/22) at 4 p.m.