Croatia scores six times in offensive outburstAidan O'Keefe celebrates one of his goals.
Frank Perin — Aidan O’Keefe scored twice in the first half and once more in the second to help lead Hamilton to a 6-1 defeat of the St. Catharines Wolves at Brian Timmis Stadium Friday night.
The Croatia striker opened the scoring at the 21st minute and struck a second two minutes later for a 2-0 score which held until half-time.
Hamilton carried the momentum into the second frame when Said Ali increased the lead to 3-0. His left-footed drive from 27 yards at the 46th minute sailed over the head of St. Catherines goalie Claudio Perri and dipped just under the crossbar for his first goal of the season.
O’Keefe then completed the hat-trick three minutes later with his sixth goal in eight games.
Some strong midfield play sprung Jason Shannon free and the forward made it 5-0 with a low shot to the corner for the home side at 56 minutes.
The Wolves’ Danny Gallagher spoiled Cam McKay’s shutout bid at 77 minutes, but the game was never in doubt.
Midfielder Jamie Dodds rounded out the scoring just moments following the ejection of St. Catharines’ Matthew Stillman. Dodds’ beautifully struck goal at 77 minutes was a fitting reward after having another exceptional game on both sides of the ball.
Hamilton Croatia improved to 3-4-1 for 13 points while St. Catherines lost again on Sunday leaving them with a 1-1-6 record.
Croatia’s next game is at Brian Timmis Stadium on Friday, July 2nd against the last-placed Brampton Lions before going on the road for four straight.
