GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — Hats off.

The Ohio Valley Christian soccer team edged visiting Belpre Thursday night 3-2 in Gallia County, thanks in large part to a hat trick by senior Caleb McKitrick.

The Golden Eagles got things started in the fifth minute with a goal form Dakota Hoffman, but the Defenders (6-2-0) soon answered. Caleb McKitrick took a volley pass across the box from Chance Burleson and put it in the back of the net to tie the game up at the 14th minute. At the 34th minute McKitrick netted his second goal of the game, and yet again it came off of Burleson’s assist. OVCS held the 2-1 advantage at halftime.

Just 15 minutes into the second half Hoffman drove down the field from the back line and gave tied the game up at two apiece with his second goal of the game. The Defenders answered back quickly, when at the 58th minute McKitrick took the pass from Evan Bowman and placed his shot right over the goal keeper and into the back of the net for his third goal of the game. OVCS held on to win 3-2, improving to 6-2-0 on the season.

McKitrick had all three goals for the Defenders, while Burleson had two assists and Evan Bowman had one. Goal keeper Marshall Hood stopped six shots for the Defenders on the night. Ohio Valley Christian had 14 shots on goal and one corner kick in the contest.

Hoffman had both goals for the Golden Eagles, while goal keeper Ryan Epperly had 11 saves. Belpre had eight shots on goal and two corner kicks on the night.