POTTSVILLE — The Tamaqua boys soccer team enjoyed playing in the rain Thursday evening, and no one enjoyed it more than Aidan Elston.

The speedy junior scored three goals, and added an assist to lead the Blue Raiders to an impressive 5-0 victory over Pottsville in a Schuylkill League large-school matchup at Alumni Field.

“Yes, it was my first hat trick,” Elston said with a glowing smile. “But this was such a big (team) win. We lost to Lourdes (2-0), and to win this game here at Pottsville was such a big game for the team.”

Rain began falling heavily as the first half came to a close.

Tamaqua broke through with 2:35 remaining before halftime when Elston found senior Brody Schlier streaking toward the goal. Schiler finished the play to give the Blue Raiders a 1-0 lead.

“(We) knew coming in it was going to be a tough game, after we had a tough loss (to Lourdes),” said Tamaqua first-year coach Pat Blaser.

Blaser said his team was determined to bounce back after the loss.

“At practice (Wednesday), we were very energetic, the kids were focused and the way Aiden played, he should be all-state he is an incredible player,” Blaser allowed.

Elston extended the lead with his first goal of the night at the 37:35 mark of the second half. He dribbled down the field and beat Pottsville goalkeeper Landon Trout with a quick shot.

“When I got my first goal, I felt very confident for our team,” Elston continued. “To be honest, I like playing in the rain, it’s fun. And the way things started to (unfold) we got a lot of confidence.”

That confidence showed on the defensive end as well, as Schiler made a key stop against Chase Richter, cutting off a run down the sideline and preventing a crossing attempt.

“That was a great defensive play by Brody,” Blaser said, praising the way Schiler shut down the attack.

With 16:32 remaining, Elston converted a penalty kick to make it 3-0.

“I had no problems with it,” Elston said with assuredness, “I got him leaning, and I was able to hit the back of the net.”

Elston completed his hat trick later in the second half as Tamaqua continued to control play.

The Blue Raiders capped the scoring with 4:15 remaining when sophomore Jaedon Vidzicki scored his first varsity goal. Vidzicki launched a shot from about 30 yards out and found the back of the net.

QUOTABLE ... “We watched film on them and I thought we counteracted them, it was a well-played game by our kids.” Blaser on Tamaqua’s bounce-back victory.

Tamaqua 5, Pottsville 0

Tamaqua 1 4 - 5

Pottsville 0 0 - 0

Goals: Tamaqua - Aidan Elston 3, Brody Schlier 1, Jaedon Vidzicki 1; Assists: Tamaqua - Brody Schlier 2, Aidan Elston 1; Shots: Tamaqua 15, Pottsville 16; Saves: Tamaqua - Jakin Tamagini 7; Pottsville - Landon Trout 5.

Records: Tamaqua (4-2-1); Pottsville (3-4).