Cincinnati, Ohio – Shawnee State women's soccer used a Christa Harris (FR/Carlisle, Ohio) hat trick to defeat Cincinnati Christian 5-2 in their season opener at Xavier University Soccer Complex.
Shawnee State would open the scoring early in the first half. The Bears would play the ball down the right side in the fifth minute, and Christa Harris would latch on down the right side of the box. Harris' cross would find nobody in the box, but would veer over Cincinnati Christian goalkeeper Mariah Petty's head and into the side of the net. The goal was Harris' first of her career, and gave Shawnee State an early 1-0 lead.
Shawnee State would continue to dominate possession for most of the first half, missing two big chances. Harris would have a second shot deflect off the crossbar just minutes later after following a saved Olivia Ball (JR/Greenup, Kentucky) shot. Madison Patrick (SO/Carlisle, Ohio) would then have an effort saved by Petty, who pawed away a shot destined for the top corner.
CCU would take advantage, equalizing in the 32nd minute. A quick break off a long ball from Petty in goal would find Megan Klenk open in space. Klenk would dribble around SSU goalkeeper Michaela Garner (SR/Heath, Ohio), and the junior would finish into an open net to even the score at 1-1. Neither team would score to end the half, sending the game to halftime tied up.
SSU would take the lead again, with Harris scoring her second. The freshman would latch on to a long ball through the box, round Petty and slip the ball home to give Shawnee State back their lead at 2-1. However, Cincinnati Christian would answer moments later, as Maren Hance would score by chipping over Garner to even up the game at 2-2.
SSU would rally in the final 10 minutes, scoring three goals to run away with the game. Olivia Ball would get the run started by firing home a curler that Petty had no chance to save, giving Shawnee State a 3-2 lead with seven minutes to go. Alison Cook (SR/Liberty Township, Ohio) would follow in the 87th minute, scoring from six yards to push the lead out to 4-2. Harris would then earn her hat trick, firing home a curler past Petty's fingertips from the left side to give SSU the 5-2 final margin.
"It's all about battling," said SSU head coach Natasha Ademakinwa. "We outworked this team today without a doubt. We went into the half tied, but the girls refocused and came out with passion and energy in the second half to secure the win. I'm proud of the team and happy to start the season with a win."
The win moves Shawnee State to a 1-0-0 start to 2018. Cincinnati Christian opens the season at 0-1-0. The Bears now lead the all-time series 7-1-1, and are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the two sides. The win is also Ademakinwa's first career victory as head coach of the Bears.
Shawnee State women's soccer returns to action on Saturday, August 25 when they travel to Michigan to take on Lawrence Tech (Mich.). Kickoff is set for 5:00pm.
