Nixon’s birthday hat trick propels Eastside soccer over Byrnes, 5-1

Nixon (No. 7) scored three goals in Eastside’s 5-1 romp over Byrnes.

Eastside soccer star Tristan Nixon capped off his 18th birthday with a performance to remember.

Nixon bagged a hat trick against Byrnes on Feb. 27—his big day—to propel Eastside to a 5-1 win over the Rebels.

“Man, everyone’s been saying ‘Happy Birthday’ to me all day, then to come out here and put three goals in? This feels amazing,” said Nixon.

Nixon’s three goals all came in the second half.

His first came in the 57th minute on a full-field assist from Eagles goalkeeper Kaleb Porcoro. Porcoro cleared his lines, and the ball found the feet of a streaking Nixon, who finished calmly into the top left corner.

Nixon nodded his second goal home with his head in the 64th minute. Liam Brown played a lovely cross with pace from the right side of the box, and Nixon headed into the top of the net.

His third goal to finish the hat trick came off a one-touch assist from freshman Ryder Martin, who played Nixon in at the right corner of the penalty box. Nixon sliced home his shot with his right foot, just past the outstretched leg of the Byrnes keeper.

His teammates surrounded him after the goal, serenading him with a few ‘Happy Birthdays.’

“In the locker room at halftime, everyone was telling me I needed to go get it for my birthday,” said Nixon. “I wasn’t expecting a hat trick, but I’ll take it.

“My whole family was here to watch me for my birthday, too. So this feels really good.”

Nixon—Eastside’s leading scorer—is averaging a goal per game to begin the season. He has seven on the year.

He was one of Eastside’s leading scorers last year, but with the graduation of two senior forwards, Nixon has been thrust toward a starring role in the Eagles’ attack line.

“Last year, we had Deuce Rice, Kenni Pagoada, and Tristan as our three leading scorers,” said Eastside head coach Stephen Wood. “Deuce and Kenni both graduated, so we worried about Tristan being alone up there. But he’s done well and gotten other younger guys involved in our attack, too.”

“As a senior, I want to lead by producing on the pitch,” said Nixon. “But at the same time, I want to be a mentor for some of the freshmen and sophomores coming through and help make them better. I want them to take my spot and do well after I leave.”