Siskel’s hat trick highlights Flintridge Prep soccer rout
There’s plenty of talent spread across the field for the upstart Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer team that’s fresh off advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division VI semifinals last season.
Having shifted gears to this season, the Rebels aren’t afraid to tap into their pool of talent and have a freshman to contribute.
Enter freshman forward Simon Siskel, who registered three goals and one assist Thursday to lift host Flintridge Prep to a 9-0 nonleague victory against Milken Community.
Siskel scored twice in the first 10 minutes before completing the hat trick in the 65th minute to spark the Rebels (2-0-1).
“It’s just about going out there and competing hard for every ball,” Siskel said. “I’m trying to fit in with the team and help out anyway I can.
“When you get that first goal, it makes things a little bit easier. Then you can get into a rhythm. I was hoping just to get at least one goal. I had a couple of chances in the games before and couldn’t capitalize, so it felt good just to be able to contribute.”
Flintridge Prep received two goals from Ben Ventresca and one each from Tim Treinen, Nick Klatsky, Andrew Lathrop and Ramzi Beshir. Flintridge Prep, which finished fourth in the Prep League last season, held a 4-0 halftime lead.
Siskel set the tone early for the Rebels, taking a pass from Lathrop and beating Milken Community (2-3) goalkeeper Gavin Lieberman in the third minute. Siskel made it 2-0 in the 10th minute off an assist from Garrett Gaines.
Flintridge Prep coach AJ Yates, the reigning All-Area Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year, said he’s not hesitant to put younger players into the lineup.
“If we have guys who are freshmen that can play, then we’ll put them out there,” Yates said. “You get somebody like Simon and he can bring a lot to the team.
“Simon can move the ball and he’s very skilled. He can bring a lot of grit. I just liked the way we were able to move the ball and share it.”
The Rebels grabbed a 3-0 lead on a goal by Treinen off a pass from Gaines in the 26th minute.
Flintridge Prep closed out the first-half scoring in the 30th minute on a goal from Klatsky.
The intermission didn’t slow down the Rebels’ momentum in the second half.
Lathrop made it 5-0 in the 52nd minute before Beshir extended the lead to 6-0 in the 61st minute.
Ventresca gave Flintridge Prep a 7-0 lead in the 64th minute.
Siskel’s third goal made it 8-0 in the 64th minute before Ventresca completed the scoring in the 78th minute.
“We’ve played three games and we know we still have to execute on our chances,” Yates said.
Flintridge Prep goalkeeper Zak Beshirhad made two saves in the shutout. Flintridge Prep finished with 19 shots on goal.
