Photo by Ray DiMonda By Mike Zima, Correspondent Senior attack Mitch Laffin and junior middie Drew Crain each had hat tricks to lead an explosive IMG offense as the visiting Ascenders overwhelmed Fleming Island 21-5 Friday night in a battle of unbeatens. Crain and his fellow IMG attackers consistently beat the hosts’ man-to-man defense for point blank shots against Fleming Island goalie Ryan Kelly. Despite seven saves by Kelly, IMG took a 13-3 lead into the intermission. The Ascenders did much of their damage in transition after faceoffs. Specialist Tyler Liotta won 10 of 12 faceoffs in the first half, often racing upfield with the ball to create a four-on-three advantage. Liotta, a Hofstra commitment, finished with a goal and two assists. “He is a next-level guy,” said IMG coach Mike Ryder. “Because of his quick hands, it is tough for anyone to slow him down.” Fleming Island actually scored first when midfielder Sam Barrington, executing a give-and-go with teammate Devan Marquis, was knocked to his knees as he drove to the goal but still bounced a shot past IMG goalie Adam Getty 1:39 into the contest. Led by Laffin, who scored all three of his goals in the first quarter, the Ascenders seized control with 10 consecutive goals in the next 11 minutes. Getty had seven saves and fifteen Ascenders had either a goal or an assist as Ryder substituted freely. “I was most pleased with some of our younger guys, who showed they could come in and execute against an athletic team,” said Ryder. “Fleming Island is one of the more athletic teams we have played.” It did not help the Golden Eagles’ cause that they were without 2014 All-District middie and leading scorer Hayden La Vangie, who suffered a concussion in Wednesday’s win over Gainesville Buchholz. Freshman Patrick Schreiber led the hosts with two goals, one off of an assist from Marquis, and the other on a wraparound drive from behind the net. “I’m proud of our guys,” said Fleming Island head coach Jeff La Vangie, whose squad fell to 6-1. “They weren’t backing down, even though they were under intense pressure all evening.” IMG, now 7-0, has yet to play a home game, and heads West on Saturday for a night game at Tallahassee Maclay. The Golden Eagles return to the field Tuesday, March 3, when they host Bartram Trail.