Lakewood, N.J.- Michael Clarke continued his scalding scoring prowess as the junior netted a hat trick in leading the Georgian Court University men's soccer squad to a 4-2 triumph Tuesday afternoon over visiting St. Thomas Aquinas College. 

Winners of three straight, the Lions (5-4-2) have now tied the program's season-high for victories, first established in the inaugural campaign of 2013. The Spartans slip to 3-8-1 after the setback.

The Lions attacked early when Ricardo Vascones connected on a Clarke feed with a diving header, putting GCU ahead at 5:48. Vascones returned the favor at 22:19 as Clarke headed home a helper from his teammate to put GCU ahead, 2-0. The Vascones-Clarke connection paired up again just minutes later (26:36) when Michael belted his second of the half to make the score 3-0.

STAC sliced the deficit to 3-2 with tallies at 28:04 and 55:31, but Clarke's third goal of the day at 72:48, courtesy of a give-and-go with Kevin Isvanditsch, provided some welcomed cushion.

Clarke, with an incredible stretch of 12 goals over his last four contests, currently ties for the national lead (NCAA Division II) with 15 on the year.

GCU owned a narrow 13-12 advantage in shots attempted while leading in corner kicks, 8-4.

Aleksander Milosevic improved to 5-3-2 in the Lions' net with five saves over 90 minutes of action.

Georgian Court returns to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action this Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. home match vs. Concordia College.