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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 25, 2012) – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2W-2T-0L) defeated the Puerto Rico Islanders (3W-1T-1L) by a score of 3-2 at Lockhart Stadium, Wednesday night. Aly Hassan scored a hat-trick for the Strikers, his first goals as a professional. It was the Islanders first loss of the season.

“It’s a dream come true” said Strikers forward Aly Hassan. “Scoring a hat-trick on any occasion is great. When they’re your first goals it’s even better.” Hassan is from nearby Weston, Florida.

The Strikers leading goal-scorer Andy Herron left the game with an injury in the 14th minute. His forward partner Aly Hassan made up for his absence by scoring three goals for the Strikers.

Hassan’s first goal came from a cross by Lance Laing in the 36th minute. The defender sent in a ball from the left and Hassan met it with a header which gave Islanders goalkeeper Richard Martin no chance as the ball looped over him into the far corner.

The second goal of the match also belonged to Hassan, coming just two minutes into the second half. A clearance from Scott Lorenz was chased down by Darnell King, who held the ball up until help arrived. Walter Restrepo weaved his way into the box before sliding the ball across to Hassan who sent the ball into the net.

Puerto Rico made it 2-1 when Jay Needham converted a corner kick in front of the Strikers net in the 50^th minute. The Islanders tied the match in the 62^nd minute when Jonathan Fana found David Foley with a through ball for his third goal of the season.

Hassan’s game-winning goal came in the 84^th minute when Scott Lorenz sent a pass to the top of the box where Hassan was waiting and shot the ball high into the back of the net.

“After the two goals we defended well” said Hassan. “The last goal was just a matter of hard work by the whole team. It wasn’t just me, I just got the last touch on the ball.”