Ander records hat trick, Myrtle Beach Mutiny advance in playoffs

Final score

Myrtle Beach Mutiny 3, FC Wichita 1

Turning point

In the 32nd minute, Jon Ander scored his second goal of the night to put Myrtle Beach up 2-1 and that was all the Mutiny needed as they held Wichita off the rest of the way en route to a victory in their playoff opener.

The man

Ander, who scored all of the Mutiny’s goals with a hat trick. Ander also extended his streak of consecutive games with a goal scored to 11.

Assists

Brett Luccia, who assisted Ander’s first goal; Aksel Juul, who assisted Ander’s third goal.

What they’re saying

“We knew they were coming hard and coach told me whenever you get the ball try to see the goal and I tried hard to do that. It was one of those lucky days where your shots are going in and I’m glad for that.” – Ander

“It was a very, very exciting game and our guys were absolutely superb tonight. We knew it was going to be a physical game and was going to be a battle and every single one of our players rose to the challenge, executed and won their individual battles. That and the fact we wanted it more, worked harder and competed better is what ultimately won us the game. The guys were just great tonight.” – Mutiny coach Tom Morris

“First half, we wanted the guys to come out firing. These guys have traveled a long way and credit to Wichita, they’re a very, very tough team and dynamic. They challenged our guys to work really hard from the start and put them under pressure. It certainly was not the prettiest game but at this point it’s just more about doing what you need to do to win and our guys did that. Now we’re hosting another game.” – Morris

Keeping records

Myrtle Beach 12-1-1, Wichita 11-4-0

Next up

Who | No. 2 Chattanooga at No. 1 Myrtle Beach

When | Saturday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.

Where | Ashley Booth Field

This story was originally published July 18, 2015 at 11:09 PM with the headline "Ander records hat trick, Myrtle Beach Mutiny advance in playoffs."