In 2014, the Hero Indian Super League had witnessed a solitary hat-trick scored by Mumbai City FC playmaker Andre Moritz. This season, however, fans were treated to eight hat-tricks with Stiven Mendoza (Chennaiyin FC) and Iain Hume (Atlético de Kolkata) scoring two each. Here’s a recap of the outstanding individual treble performances of Hero ISL 2015.

Mendoza scores first hat-trick of the season

Stiven Mendoza had shown all of India his bags of talent in the previous year when he notched up four goals for Chennaiyin FC. This season the Colombian striker went from strength to strength and scored the first hat-trick of the season, putting FC Goa to the sword at Fatorda. For his first goal of the evening, he bundled the ball over the line after goalkeeper Elinton saved the initial effort. The second involved a trademark Elano through ball that Mendoza gleefully chipped above the on-rushing keeper. His third involved fantastic technique as he brought a cross from the right down on his chest before hammering it past the FC Goa keeper to complete the hat-trick. The Super Machans won the match 4-0.

Chhetri etches his name into the history books

Sunil Chhetri was one of the players all Indian football fans had their eyes on this season. After Mumbai City FC’s disjointed start to the season, the India international showed his class in Navi Mumbai in a 5-1 win against NorthEast United FC. Chhetri scored his first goal of the game by outsmarting TP Rehenesh from the spot with a cheeky Panenka. The Mumbai City FC striker’s second goal of the evening was a typical poacher’s finish as he followed up Subash Singh’s header across to score into a vacant net from close range. Chhetri then completed his hat-trick with a second spot-kick following Andre Bikey’s hand ball and in the process became the first Indian player to score a hat-trick in the history of the league.

Hume tears into Mumbai

Iain Hume had yet to get off the mark in the colours of Atlético de Kolkata as he lined up to face a Mumbai side that was high on confidence after three wins on the trot. The Canadian-born forward, however, broke his duck in style with an exemplary all-round showing in Navi Mumbai. For the first goal of the night, he judged Jaime Gavilan’s measured pass to perfection and unerringly beat Subrata Paul in the Mumbai goal. Hume then converted a penalty in the dying moments of the first half to take his team into the break leading 2-0. The Atlético de Kolkata striker then capped off a sparkling display by side-footing Sameehg Doutie’s cut-back off Paul into the net. ATK won the match 4-1.

Mendoza shoots down the Blasters

Stiven Mendoza created breathing space for himself in the race for the Alto K10 Golden Boot award after putting three goals past a hapless Kerala Blaster FC in a 4-1 win in Chennai. He started off his goal scoring exploits by curling the ball past Kerala goalkeeper Stephan Bywater. His second of the night came via a deflection. After being found by Thoi Singh at the top of the box the Chennai front man struck the ball at goal only for Bruno Perone of Kerala to deflect it past his helpless keeper. Harmanjot Khabra then caught the visitors’ defence napping as a quick free-kick released Mendoza in behind and he calmly slotted the ball into the net, beginning a winning run that would last for five matches – a Hero ISL record.

The Dudu & Haokip show

FC Goa’s attacking duo of Dudu & Thongkhosiem Haokip scored a hat-trick each in an utterly dominant display against Mumbai City FC in Fatorda. Haokip opened the scoring by tapping into an open net after Dudu’s initial effort was saved. It was the 100th goal of the season. Dudu didn’t miss another chance, however, after being found inside the box with acres of space by Leo Moura. The Nigerian striker stroked a left-legged shot past Subrata Paul. Joffre then found Haokip early in the second half with a chipped pass which the latter finished from close range. Dudu was then on hand to capitalize as Subrata Paul weakly punched clear Lucio’s header from a free-kick. The Nigerian then laid his claim for the match ball as he finished a chance made by Moura’s dazzling run into the box. Haokip didn’t take long after that as he also wrapped home his third of the night as Paul found Romeo Fernandes’ shot too hot to handle. FC Goa’s 7-0 win was the biggest in the history of the league.

ng>Hume puts the Stallions to the sword

Iain Hume & Atlético de Kolkata got off to a rip-roaring start in a game where they entertained FC Pune City. Izumi Arata laid the ball on a platter for Hume to score in the first 10 minutes of the game. Hume completed his hat-trick in the second half with the first of two coming via Borja Fernandez’s precisely chipped pass that he acrobatically smacked past Arindam Bhattacharya. Hume then combined with Sameehg Doutie to devastating effect as the latter played a fine cross across the box that the Canadian striker converted emphatically to take home the match ball. The defending champions won 4-1.

Reinaldo ends Kerala’s hopes of semis qualification

Reinaldo proved a tricky customer for Kerala Blasters FC to deal with in Kochi. The FC Goa striker laid on a gem of a pass to set up Joffre and later got himself on the scoresheet thanks to Leo Moura’s magical run. He then tapped home from close range from Mandar Rao Dessai’s teasing cross for a second before going on to complete his set of three goals as he slammed home CS Sabeeth’s inviting pass across the box. The Gaurs won the match 5-1.

The 2015 Indian Super League proved to be happy hunting ground for most of the strikers on show which helped ensure a healthy goals/game ratio of 3.05.