With the postseason starting next week, the Jefferson City Jays wanted a good performance Monday night.
They got it.
Chad Hamler scored three goals and picked up an assist as the Jays defeated the Waynesville Tigers 5-0 on Senior Night at the 179 Soccer Park.
"He can be special, he has the ability to put balls away," Jays coach Scott Blake said. "He has a real knack for it."
Hamler got the Jays on the board with an unassisted goal 14 minutes into the first half. It was his fourth game-winning goal this season.
The senior doubled Jefferson City's lead three minutes into the second half, turning and firing a shot into the net from just inside the top of the box.
Hamler finished off his hat trick with about 14 minutes to go in the contest.
"He has always had the ability in the final third, but sometimes he's tried to force things that aren't necessarily there," Blake said. "But when he lets the game come to him, use his teammates, let them make the proper runs, he can take advantage of his opportunities.
"He can go on a tear. It was a great night for him."
Hamler's prettiest goal of the night didn't count when he ran onto a pass in front of the Waynesville net and lifted it past the keeper. He was called offside on the play.
"It was gorgeous," Blake said. "It showed the kind of ability Chad has."
Peter Kuster of the Jays scored when he redirected a ball into the net midway through the second half to make it 3-0. Kuster also had an assist on Hamler's third goal.
Max Allen made it 4-0 with about 16 minutes to play, assisted by Hamler.
Nick Ryan and Toby Hughes shared time in goal in the shutout for Jefferson City.
"It's good to get a win," Blake said. "The guys really wanted this one on Senior Night."
Prior to the game, Jefferson City honored its 15 seniors and their parents.
"Thirteen of the 15 have played all four years for us and it's been a special group," Blake said. "It's a fun group to coach. They work hard, they want to play high-level games."
Jefferson City opens Class 4 District 11 Tournament play next week at Hickman. The Jays are the No. 2 seed in the four-team tournament and will face third-seeded Rock Bridge at 7 p.m. Monday. Top-seeded Sedalia Smith-Cotton and fourth-seeded Hickman will play at 5 p.m. Monday.
The district title game is set for 6 p.m. next Wednesday.
The Jays defeated Rock Bridge 2-0 last week in Columbia.
Jefferson City (12-10) will close the regular season Wednesday against Rockhurst, ranked No. 2 in Class 4 by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association, at the 179 Soccer Park. Both the varsity and JV games will start at 4:30 p.m.