MESA, Ariz. –
Ava Johnson and
Tori Lasch became the first Southern Oregon teammates ever to notch hat tricks in the same game in a 10-1 thumping of Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) on Saturday night at the Santos Soccer Complex.
After starting the week by showcasing their goal-prevention efforts in back-to-back draws against Top 25 teams, the Raiders (2-0-2) ended it by hitting double digits for the sixth time in team history.
They scored seven goals in the second half and three in the first four minutes of the period as Johnson converted a penalty kick in the 46th minute, Lasch completed her hat trick in the 47th, and Johnson struck again in the 49th. Brycelin Endikrat assisted the second and third goals of that blitz.
Johnson, a junior from West Sacramento, Calif., also had an assist in the contest to top off an impressive week that included a late equalizer at No. 23 Westcliff (Calif.). Lasch, a sophomore from Ridgefield, Wash., accounted for six of SOU's 24 shots on frame.
Freshman midfielder
Iman Hamzic contributed the first points of her career with two goals and an assist off the bench. Two more players, senior
Mary Whalen and sophomore
Alia Villa, also recorded their first goals as Raiders.
Brooklyn Hayes and
Macie Yannoni delivered an assist apiece.
The Raiders had scored three goals combined in their three games that preceded the evening. They were coming off of Thursday's scoreless tie at No. 3 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).
They're unbeaten through their first four outings for the second time in team history.
Benedictine Mesa fell to 0-2.
SOU makes its home debut at 11 a.m. next Friday against Simpson (Calif.), the team's final test before entering Cascade Conference play.
