Alcoa freshman Austin Stone fires on goal Tuesday in the Tornadoes 7-0 win at William Blount. Stone finished the game with a hat trick.

Summary

Bitter cold and wind didn't stop Alcoa's Austin Stone from having a breakout performance Tuesday. The freshman had a hat trick by halftime in the Tornadoes' 7-0 win over William Blount at Mike White Field.

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Stone cold: Alcoa rocks Govs behind freshman's hat trick

By Christopher James
of The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: April 08. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: April 08. 2009 12:05AM

Bitter cold and wind didn't stop Alcoa's Austin Stone from having a breakout performance Tuesday.

The freshman had a hat trick by halftime in the Tornadoes' 7-0 win over William Blount at Mike White Field. Stone led an Alcoa onslaught that included 23 shots on goal and 10 corner kicks.

"Three goals I scored, the ball was just in the right place at the right time," Stone said. "I just saw where the keeper was and put it where he wasn't."

That keeper was the Governors' Sam Johnson, who had 14 saves in the first half before being pulled after aggravating a leg injury. WB coach Mark Burnett said he believes Johnson is the best goalie he's seen this year.

"Sam is the man," Burnett said. "Sam can play, if only he had a little more help in front of him."

Despite Johnson's acrobatics, the Tornadoes (6-1) still managed to score five goals in the opening half. Alcoa dominated possession, using crisp, precision passing to pick its way through the Govs' defense. Alcoa got two goals from senior Andrew Mitchell. Derrick Brodus and Roberto Castro had a goal each in the second half, while Harrison Powell added two assists. William Blount (1-6) managed to burst past midfield only a handful of times against the Tornadoes' starting lineup.

Amongst all that fire power, it was Stone who stood out. While Alcoa coach Tom Gorman said he knew before the season that his rookie had talent, Stone had yet to show it in practice or a game.

"We joked in the preseason that he couldn't find the net," Gorman said. "We'd put him in penalty-kick positions or even a wide-open goal in practice, and it didn't seem like it was clicking for him. A game like this is perfect to get the jitters and nervousness done. Once the first one comes, they usually come in a group. Hopefully, this is the first of more for him."