SHREWSBURY, England (Interstat) — Substitute Fabrizio Cavegn delivered a stunning second-half hat trick to power Bristol Rovers to a commanding 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town in a League Two match on Thursday at The Croud Meadow.

The result defied pregame projections, as statistical models heavily favored the home side. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 1-1 draw, and its ELO system gave Shrewsbury Town a 76.5 percent probability to win. Instead, Bristol Rovers produced a decisive performance to begin their league campaign with a win, while Shrewsbury Town opened with a loss.

The first half was a tense, physical affair with few clear chances. The most notable events before halftime were disciplinary, as Bristol Rovers defender William Boyle received a yellow card in the 43rd minute. The teams went into the break scoreless.

The match transformed after the introduction of Cavegn. The substitute broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, scoring his first goal of the afternoon to give the visitors a crucial lead. His strike seemed to unsettle Shrewsbury and energize Bristol Rovers.

The home side struggled to mount a sustained response, and the match grew increasingly fractious. Bristol Rovers defender Isaac England was shown a yellow card in the 67th minute, followed just a minute later by a caution for teammate Taylor Moore, another substitute.

With Shrewsbury pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Bristol Rovers exploited the space left behind. Cavegn struck again in the 88th minute, effectively sealing the three points. He then completed his remarkable triple in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a tiring Shrewsbury defense to cement a flawless opening day for his club.

The assists on Cavegn’s goals were credited to Boyle, England and Moore, highlighting contributions from both the defensive unit and the bench. Bristol Rovers’ defense held firm to secure the clean sheet, limiting Shrewsbury’s opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

With the victory, Bristol Rovers open their League Two season with one win and no losses. Their overall record across all competitions also moves to one win and no losses. Shrewsbury Town begins its campaign with a record of zero wins and one loss in League Two, mirroring its overall record.

The comprehensive nature of the win, against the odds, provides a significant boost for Bristol Rovers as they start their season. For Shrewsbury Town, the defeat at home, despite being favored, raises immediate questions as they look to rebound in their next fixture.