LaGrange used a strong second half to beat Huntingdon 3-1 in a Collegiate Conference of the South game Wednesday night at Panther Field. The Panthers raised their conference record to 2-0-1 and overall record to 7-4-1.
Senior Enrique Hernandez celebrated his birthday with two goals, including the go-ahead goal. He became LC's career leader in goals with 37, breaking Errick Sturm's mark of 35. Hernandez has 16 goals this season and came into the game tied for the NCAA Division III lead in goals scored.
Huntingdon (1-8-1, 0-2 CSS) scored five minutes into the game. Varian Carty's fifth goal of the season put the Hawks up 1-0. The Panthers controlled the rest of the half, outshooting the Hawks 12-5 but keeper Zach Moenter made five saves in the half.
The Panthers continued to press their attack in the second half. William Perry got the equalizer in the 54th minute. Moenter stopped a shot by Hernandez but Perry was there to clean it up.
LC got the go-ahead goal nine minutes later after a Hawk foul in the box set up a penalty kick. Hernandez banged in the shot off the cross bar for a 2-1 lead. He added an insurance goal just four minutes later for the 3-1 final score.
The Panthers had a 22-6 edge in shots, including 12-4 in shots in goal. Huntingdon led 7-6 in corner kicks and the Hawks committed 15 fouls to the Panthers' six.
The Panthers host Berea in a CCS game Saturday at 3 p.m.
