Braves unveil rare double hat trick in win

Halloween is still days away, but there were tricks aplenty at the La Conner-Cedar Park Christian boys’ soccer match Tuesday.

Which was a real treat for Braves’ head coach Steve DeLeon and La Conner High School fans.

La Conner benefitted from not one hat trick — but — in its impressive 7-1 league triumph.

Wylie Thulen and Pablo Guirao Melendez each recorded three-goal hat tricks for the victors, who picked up their fourth win of the league campaign.

Dylan Watkins also scored for La Conner.

Back in the day, a player scoring three times in a game was gifted a cap or hat bought from gate receipts.

No such presentation was made Tuesday to Thulen and Melendez, but their heads-up play was appreciated nonetheless.

So, too, was the effort La Conner put forth Friday against area power Mount Vernon Christian, which entered undefeated in 10 previous league contests.

The Braves played MVC tough, falling just 4-1.

Melendez tallied La Conner’s lone goal, finding the net for a second half score after having played much of the match at sweeper.

With the win, the Hurricanes improved to 13-1 overall.

The Braves, who traveled yesterday to Lopez Island, return home tomorrow, Thursday, to host Shoreline Christian in a 4 p.m. clash.

La Conner closes out regular season play Oct. 28 at Grace Academy.