BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - Afrim Latifi (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) recorded his first collegiate hat trick as the Gannon men's soccer team rolled to an easy 4-0 victory at Bloomsburg Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover match.

Saturday's contest was an important regional battle. Gannon is ranked fifth in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) Atlantic regional rankings while Bloomsburg is tabbed sixth.

Gannon led 3-0 at halftime, scoring three times on seven shots. Latifi scored the first two in the 22nd and 33rd minutes. The second goal was set up with Mario Gastaldo's (Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga) assist.

Dan Howell (Erie, Pa./Iroquois) added an unassisted goal 1:28 after Latifi's second score and the rout was on. Latifi then scored another unassisted goal in the 76th minute to account for the final score.

Gannon owned a slight 11-10 edge in shots while both teams took five corner kicks. Steven Boehmer (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll) turned away six shots while recording his fourth shutout of the season. The junior moved into sole possession of fifth place all-time at Gannon with eight career shutouts.

Gannon improved to 6-3 with Saturday's victory. Bloomsburg dropped to 4-2-4. The Golden Knights return to action Wednesday, October 1 against Wheeling Jesuit at Gannon University Field. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

For a complete box score from Saturday's Gannon-Bloomsburg men's soccer match, please click here.