CARTHAGE, Mo. — Senior forward Welle Welle recorded a hat trick to lead Carthage to a 5-3 victory over Joplin on Tuesday night in Central Ozark Conference soccer action.

Joplin's Alex De La Torre opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but Welle scored two straight goals, one in the 32nd minute and the second on a penalty kick in the 37th minute.

Henry Hernandez and Welle added goals late in the first half to give Carthage a 4-1 lead.

Joplin's Ely Montanez converted a penalty kick right before the break, cutting the Eagles' halftime deficit to two.

Montanez scored in the 71st minute to bring the Eagles within a single goal, 5-4.

But Carthage's Silas Laytham recorded a goal in the 74th minute for the final margin.

Recording assists for the Tigers were Aldo Sanchez-Cancinos, Henry Laytham, Silas Laytham and Welle.

Joplin's Brayden Anderson was credited with nine saves.

Carthage took 13 shots on goal, while Joplin had three shots on goal. 

With a 12th straight win, the Tigers are now 15-1.

Carthage will compete at the Kansas City Showcase on Friday and Saturday.

Joplin hosts Springfield Catholic on Monday.
-SoMO Staff Reports