TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University Women's Soccer team controlled the pace of play for 90 minutes, racing past visiting Muskingum University, 4-0.
Mallory Zavatchen celebrated her Senior Day with a goal, while
Brianna Braatz picked up a hat trick -- the first of her career.
Maddi Springer made five saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Braatz's first came in the 12th minute. Making a long run down the left side, she cut back against the grain and into the middle. Her shot split two defenders and beat the Musky keeper to her lower right side.
In the 31st,
Livi Matthews tracked down a bouncing ball off a corner kick and sailed it back into the penalty area. There, Braatz tracked it down and headed it into the net. HU led at halftime, 2-0.
With the game in control, but hungry for an insurance goal, HU turned to Zavatchen. Zavatchen had created several scoring opportunities by forcing some Muskingum turnovers, but the Student Princes could not cash in -- until Zavatchen took it upon herself in the 85th. She cut left after finding space, then blistered a shot to the back post and in. It was her third of the year.
Braatz completed the hat trick in the 87th. With some space, she was able to toe-poke the ball just inside the far post. The tally was the 29th of her career, putting her inside the top 10 in the Heidelberg record book. She tied her career high with her 10th goal of the campaign.
Prior to the game, HU honored Matthews, Zavatchen,
Alayna Hahn,
Kelsey Coombs,
Miranda Tyack,
Maddie Brillhart and
Ella Marshall for their service to the program.
Heidelberg welcomes Otterbein to Hoernemann Stadium on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest.
