(Poughkeepsie, NY) - Freshman Luis Galeano (Mamaroneck, NY/Rye Neck HS) notched the first hat-trick of his career, and fellow freshman Jose Tovar (Yonkers, NY/Riverside HS) led an outstanding defensive effort that allowed only three shots on goal as the Westchester Community College Men's Soccer team improved to 4-1 with a 3-1 win over Dutchess Community College on Friday night at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, New York. 

With the win, the Vikings open Mid-Hudson Conference play with a 1-0 record, and improve to 2-1 in Region XV play.

The night featured an inauspicious beginning for the Vikings as Dutchess (0-2, 0-1 Mid Hudson Conference) opened the scoring with a penalty kick goal in the 22nd minute. However, that would be the extent of the Falcon offense as the Vikings defense remained stout for the remainder of the game.

And then, Galeano took over. 10 minutes after Dutchess opened the scoring, Galeano scored on a free kick to tie the game 1-1. 11 minutes later, he tapped in a rebound to give WCC the lead for good, and WCC took a 2-1 lead into halftime.

14 minutes into the second half, Galeano completed the hat trick, scoring on a free kick for the second time in the evening, and giving Westchester all of the offense they would need. Galeano now leads WCC with six goals and 13 points for the season.

Westchester owned a decisive possession advantage, and out-shot Dutchess 19-4. The Vikings also took seven corner kicks to only two attempts for the hosts. 

Viking goalie Guilherme Griza (Novo Hamburgo-RS (Brazil)/Colegio Marista Pio XII) was only tested three times during the evening, but his two huge saves on wide open Dutchess attempts late in the game preserved the win.

Overall, during WCC's 4-1 start, the Vikings have allowed a total of four goals, and have yet to allow more than a single goal in any game.

Westchester Community College returns home on Tuesday, Sept. 18 when the Vikings host Region XV foe Kingsborough Community College at 4:00 p.m.