July 16, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Greenville Triumph SC News Release
Richmond, VA – Triumph striker Jacob Labovitz continued his torrid run of form on Saturday, scoring his first professional hat trick to power Greenville to a 3-1 road win at Richmond in a match between two of the league’s top teams. Labovitz’s effort kept Greenville in first place and brought the rookie’s tally to five goals across the last week. He also became the first League One player to score a hat trick in his rookie season since U.S. National Team talent Ricardo Pepi.
Fresh off a wild 5-5 midweek match at Tormenta, Greenville made the six-hour trek to Richmond, VA to face the Kickers for the first time this season. Despite the tired legs and a short weather delay, both Triumph and Richmond kicked off with equal zest. Greenville controlled the attack for the majority of the first half as they looked to break down Richmond’s defense. Their first chance came halfway through the first 45′, when Don Smart connected with striker, Jacob Labovitz for the Virginia Tech alum’s eighth goal of the season. Later, Greenville captain, Aaron Walker picked off a Richmond pass and laid the ball at Labovitz’s feet. The striker found the back of the net again for his second goal, doubling the Triumph lead before the half and vaulting himself into the USL League One scoring lead for the season.
Back from the locker rooms, Richmond regained their composure and attacking presence in the second half as Greenville looked to secure the road win. In the 72nd minute, the Kickers got on the board when a deflection cost Greenville a goal. Richmond’s Matthew Bentley was able to collect the deflection and head the awkward floater into the net to slash Greenville’s lead to one. As the match turned physical, yellow cards flew in the direction of both teams across the later stages. Amidst the erratic string of fouls, though, Jacob Labovitz persevered to put the match on ice with his third goal of the evening off an assist from Jimmy Filerman.
The win pushed Greenville’s unbeaten streak to seven matches and put them six points clear of the Kickers, who remain second in the League One table. Greenville returns to the Upstate looking to continue its run when they welcome rival-Union Omaha to Triumph Stadium on Saturday, June 23rd at 7:00 PM.
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