Melanie Siranaula’s triple powered Lehman over York. (Photo courtesy of Lehman SID)

BRONX, N.Y. – In what is a rarity, if not a college record, both of Lehman College’s soccer teams boasted players with finished with hat-tricks in City University of New York Athletic Conference wins within hours of one another.

In the 11 a.m. women’s game on South Field, a hat-trick from sophomore midfielder Melanie Siranaula led Lehman to a 6-0 triumph over York College at South Field on Saturday.

In the 1:30 p.m. men’s match on the same pitch, senior midfielder Omar Moro added a hat-trick for the Lightning in its 5-1 victory over Medgar Evers College.

The Lightning women improved to 4-1-1, 2-0 CUNYAC, while the Cardinals dropped to 0-8-1, 0-2.

Sophomore forward Emily Herrera got Lehman’s offense going with a tally in sixth minute off an assist from freshman defender Micaela Canapa. Six minutes later Siranaula scored the first her three goals with a shot that went off the hands of goalkeeper Stephanie Gutierrez.

Senior midfielder Daisy Gomez made it 3-0 when she scored her fourth goal of the season in the 19th minute.

After Siranaula had her second goal in 55th minute, senior midfielder Daniela Castro scored her first of the season after grabbing a loose ball in 74th minute.

Siranaula closed out the scoring for with her third goal with eight minutes remaining off an assist from Herrera.

The Lightning outshot the Cardinals 23-1 as sophomore goalkeeper Rebecca Gritz didn’t need to make a save to earn her third shutout of season.

Lehman hits the road for another CUNYAC match-up at Purchase, N.Y. Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.