By Jesse Swafford | CSwaff Media
Photography by Cole Swafford | CSwaff Shots
VANDALIA, OH — In a back-and-forth battle that featured seven goals and a second-half hat-trick performance, Northmont escaped Vandalia with a 4–3 victory over Butler on Thursday night.
Northmont’s Chris Powell provided the difference, scoring three times, including twice in the second half, as the Thunderbolts broke a 2–2 halftime tie and held off a late Butler push.
Northmont wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. The Thunderbolts struck with 37:17 remaining in the opening half when Kamryn Klaber found the back of the net to give the visitors an early 1–0 advantage.
Butler responded less than four minutes later. Tyler Aucoin scored with 33:44 remaining to bring the Aviators level at 1–1.
Powell then delivered his first goal of the night with 7:05 left before halftime, putting Northmont back in front, 2–1.
Once again, Butler had an answer.
With just 1:30 remaining in the half, Mathias Ampuero-Alverez scored for the Aviators, sending the teams into the break tied at 2–2 after an action-packed opening 40 minutes.
The second half belonged to Powell.
Just 2:57 after play resumed, Powell struck again to give Northmont a 3–2 advantage. Less than six minutes later, he completed the hat trick, scoring with 31:40 remaining and stretching the Thunderbolts’ lead to 4–2.
Northmont Coach Bob Brown had plenty of praise for Powell’s performance after the win.
“He’s a nightmare. He’s injured and still doing that. He’s a fantastic player and an even better kid. He’s scary, and thank God he’s playing for us.”
-Northmont Head Coach Bob Brown
That two-goal cushion proved important.
Butler continued to battle and was awarded a penalty kick late in the match. Tyler Aucoin converted from the spot with 5:43 remaining, cutting Northmont’s advantage to 4–3 and setting up a tense finish.
The Thunderbolts protected the one-goal lead over the final minutes to secure the road victory.
Powell finished with three of Northmont’s four goals, with all three coming after Butler had either tied the match or entered the half level with the Thunderbolts. He also added an assist. Danny Tran and Talon Paugh also contributed to the scoring with an assist each.
For Butler, three different players found the net, including Aucoin’s late penalty that gave the Aviators an opportunity to force an equalizer down the stretch.
Northmont ultimately had enough to withstand the challenge, leaving Vandalia with a 4–3 victory in one of the more entertaining Miami Valley matchups of the young season.
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