California Baptist University
La Sierra University
TIPPING THE HAT
9/19/2007 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? Lindsey Merrett scored her first career hat trick and did it in the first 25 minutes to lead California Baptist to a 4-0 win over La Sierra Wednesday.
The Lancers (5-2) put the Golden Eagles (4-2-1) on their heels early and often in the first half and locked down the defensive end the whole game.
“La Sierra was a bit of an unknown after it came off two big wins this past week,” said CBU head coach Kristen St. Clair. “It was a good tune up before we start conference play Saturday. We played well across the board. Lindsey came to play today.”
Merrett put CBU on the board in the ninth minute with she picked up a pass from Jacquelyn Witz and Kyrie Nicassio and slipped it past La Sierra's Desiree Wood to grab the 1-0 lead. A little less than five minutes later, Merrett ripped a 20-yard shot into the back of the net to give the Lancers a 2-0 lead not even 15 minutes in.
“It was nice to see us come out so fast today,” said St. Clair. “We were due for this type of performance. We've been playing well in practice. This was a good response to a decision we dropped last week. It was just a good performance overall.”
Merrett capped off the natural hat trick when she nailed a header from the left side of the box past the keeper. Vanessa Wellman started the play and then gave the ball up to Nicassio, who lifted the ball in the air for Merrett in the 23rd minute. Merrett scored her sixth, seventh and eighth goals for the season.
Witz put the finishing touches 15 seconds before the end of the half when she scored an unassisted goal to give CBU the 4-0 lead. It was her fifth goal of the year.
While the Lancers' offense was putting up goals, the Lancers' defense was shutting down LSU. CBU's two keepers, Emily Evanson and Ashley Aranda, were not even challenged as the Golden Eagles never took a shot. The Lancers on the other hand took 29 shots, 11 of which were on goal.
“We were able to get some quality minutes from our reserves and experience is a key,” said St. Clair. “We wanted to put people in different roles and we want to start fine-tuning things. For us to do well we have to be 21 deep.”
The Lancers kick off Golden State Athletic Conference play Saturday as they host Concordia at 3 p.m.
