SAN ANTONIO – Santiago Patino recorded a hat trick on his San Antonio FC debut to send the hosts to a 3-0 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night at Toyota Field.

SAFC went close to an early breakthrough in the 11th minute as a corner kick from the right by PC to the near post found Nathan Fogaca for a flicked header that was cleared off the line by the Switchbacks’ Zach Zandi as he manned the right post. The hosts struck five minutes later, though, as Marcus Epps found space in the right side of the penalty to deliver a cross that Switchbacks goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez could only palm into the air, allowing Patino to head home from close range as he reacted first to the redirection.

Patino added a second in the 28th minute as he produced a sliding, volleyed finish at the back post that picked out the left corner of the net after PC delivered a cross from the left. The Colombian then threatened to add a third just past the hour-mark as he held up play in the left channel before turning and shooting low to the near post forcing Rodriguez into a low save.

Colorado Springs had threatened to cut into San Antonio’s lead just before halftime as Zandi sent a curling shot just wide of the right upright from 20 yards. Then with 11 minutes to go, Michee Ngalina beat San Antonio goalkeeper Matt Cardone to a deflected through-ball but was unable to direct his shot from a wide angle on the right on target. Patino put the game to bed with three minutes to go, however, as he slid home a finish to the right corner after being played in behind the Switchbacks defense to complete his hat trick.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Santiago Patino, San Antonio FC – Patino recorded a hat trick on his SAFC debut as he finished with four shots on target and seven overall.

Scoring Summary
SA – Santiago Patino 16’
SA – Santiago Patino (PC) 28’
SA – Santiago Patino (Chris Lema) 87’

Full Box Score