MOUNT VERNON – Three goals equaled three important points in the Midwest Conference standings for Cornell's men's soccer team Wednesday on its home turf.
 
Senior George Archer scored three times during a 17-minute flurry in the second half, lifting the Rams to a 3-1 victory over Monmouth.
 
The win vaulted the Rams (4-6-1 overall, 2-0-1 MWC) into a tie with Lake Forest for first place in the MWC race with seven points and five league matches to go.
 
Archer recorded his third career hat trick and 13th multi-goal match. Cornell's all-time scoring leader broke a 0-0 contest in the 69th minute with an unassisted goal.
 
After Monmouth (2-7-2 overall, 0-2-1 MWC) pulled even in the 77th minute, Archer pushed the Rams ahead for good at 2-1 on a penalty kick at the 80-minute mark.
 
Archer capped his dynamic day with an assisted goal from freshman Justice Toledo with 3:33 remaining in regulation. Archer raised his season goals total to eight, third-most in the MWC.
 
Fifth-year goalkeeper Jeremy Spina earned the victory, notching two saves over 90 minutes.
 
Four of Cornell's seven shots came from Archer. The Fighting Scots attempted five shots in each half.
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to play Carleton (6-3-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Northfield, Minn.