CHASING — Big Red’s Drew Strimpert and Oak Glen’s Jordan Tomsic chase after the ball during Tuesday’s match at Harding Stadium. - Andrew Grimm

STEUBENVILLE — A break between games can be positive.

The Big Red boys’ soccer team netted an early goal against Oak Glen, and senior standout Cole Bowers recorded a hat trick as Big Red shut out the Golden Bears, 8-0, via mercy rule Tuesday night on Reno Saccoccia Field inside Harding Stadium.

“We came out and scored a goal in the first minute instead of giving up one, so that was a positive,” Big Red (4-1-1) head coach Greg Bowers said. “We missed a few opportunities after that. When we have the chance, we have to be focused. We have to learn to put teams under.”

Cole Bowers collected a hat trick in a little less seven minutes of action in the first half, and the Army committ also tallied two assists in the win.

The Red and Black delivered six goals in the first half before tacking on two more in the second.

“They controlled the whole game,” Oak Glen (1-5-1) head coach Dallas Brewer said. “We had a couple of runs at the end. They definitely controlled the game. They are a good game. They get the ball.”

Chase Beall and Landon Bowers each netted a pair of goals for the victors, while Drew Stimpert produced one. Also, Tad Loot contributed two assists, while Joey Rice, Josiah Rea and Beall each chipped in with one.

The hosts used two goalies in the match. JJ Lamantia started the match in the net, and he made one save before being replaced to start the second half by Luca Holt, who made two saves.

Jackson O’Rourke recorded nine saves in goal for the visitors.

“They are a young team,” Coach Bowers said about the Golden Bears. “They’re trying to figure things out. They have three seniors. Coach Brewer does a good job with them. They work hard. They play the right way. They move the ball. They’re going to get better as the season goes on.”

Beall opened the scoring less than two minutes into the match when he found the back of the net with 38:23 left to play in the first half giving the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.

“We have done that all season,” Brewer said about his team giving up an early goal. “We let in an early goal. It is rough having to play behind when you are down 1-0.”

Cole Bowers scored the next three goals to complete his hat trick. His first goal came on a penalty kick with 26:05 remaining in the first half to extend Big Red’s advantage out to 2-0. He scored his second goal almost four minutes later when he found the back of the net with 22:10 left to play before halftime. He capped off the hat trick with his third about three minutes later to give his team a 4-0 lead with 19:11 remaining to be played before halftime.

Beall tallied his second goal with 12:13 left to play before halftime, and Landon Bowers delivered his first goal of the match to increase Big Red’s advantage to 6-0 with 1:36 still showing on the scoreboard clock.

The goal by Landon Bowers brought the running clock into play.

Landon Bowers and Stimpert each collected a goal in the second half.

“We have struggled to score most of the season,” Brewer said. “We have a good defense, but we have had trouble on offense sometimes.”

The win enabled Big Red to rebound from Saturday’s 7-3 loss at home to Dover.

“We were pretty disappointed with our effort and our execution Saturday,” Coach Bowers said. “Today, we were able to get out and play well. We have two more big games this week against Beaver Local and John Marshall. We want to move in the right direction. We want have a good day of practice tomorrow.”

Oak Glen is scheduled to play Monroe Central at 6:30 p.m. today at home.

Big Red is slated to play Beaver Local at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at home before taking on John Marshall at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at home.