MONTCLAIR, N.J. – In his breakout season a year ago, Louisville City FC’s Cameron Lancaster showed a full array of talent in the way that he accumulated eight goals for the club, including the game-winner in the 2017 USL Cup.

This season he’s only built on that reputation, and after his first hat trick for Louisville on Friday night in a wild 6-4 victory against the New York Red Bulls II is now leading the race for the 2018 USL Golden Boot.

“Cam’s someone who has a lot of goals in him,” said Louisville player-coach and fellow forward Luke Spencer. “He dealt with the shoulder injury, he came back, scored a lot of goals to get the start tonight, and to score goals again, it’s no surprise.”

Of the 10 leading scorers in the league this season, Lancaster’s numbers highlight his versatility. His second goal against the Red Bulls II – a cleverly redirected header after Paolo DelPiccolo had sent Oscar Jimenez’s deep corner kick from the left back across goal in the 63rd minute – was Lancaster’s first headed finish of the season, giving him a goal in five key categories this season.

2018 USL Golden Boot Leaders
(Statistics through August 10, 2018)

Those numbers tell a tale of how many ways Lancaster can beat you. As he and Ilija Ilic – who also notched a pair of goals and an assist on Friday night – led the fightback against a Red Bulls II side that took a two-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes, Lancaster’s strength and skill both stood out.

Lancaster scored goals in all five categories last season as well, a sign of the consistency he’s now bringing at 25 years of age. The former Tottenham Hotspur player has already earned May’s USL Player of the Month award, but now he’s aiming for much more as the season comes down the final stretch.