NEWPORT, R.I. - Junior Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) scored the fifth hat trick of her career on Saturday, accounting for all of her team's goals, as she led the Salve Regina University women's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Wentworth during its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener at Reynolds Field. The win improves the Seahawks to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Leopards fall to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in CCC-play.
The Seahawks controlled the action in the first half, earning numerous scoring chances as they outshot the Leopards 24-3 in the period. However, Wentworth goalkeeper Jess Gardner (Wilbraham, Mass.) kept her team in the game, making eight of her game-high 19 saves in the opening half.
Birrell finally broke through for the game's first goal on an unassisted tally in the 24th minute of play to give Salve Regina the early 1-0 advantage.
The Seahawks expanded their lead to 2-0 when senior Liz Galla (Beacon Falls, Conn.) delivered a strong feed to set up Birrell for her second goal of the game in the 33rd minute.
Despite taking only three shots in the half, the Leopards made the most of their opportunities. Senior Lucy Brown (Plainville, Conn.) booted a long cross which was kicked home by freshman Olivia Moore (Salem, Conn.) at the 37:30 mark to cut the Salve Regina lead to 2-1 before the two teams headed into the break.
The second half was similar to the first, as the Seahawks controlled play and outshot the Leopards 21-4, but still had trouble getting much of anything past Leopard goalkeeper Jess Gardner who made 11 saves in the second frame.
Birrell finally managed to beat Gardner in the 67th minute, earning her fifth career hat trick off an assist from freshman Britt Blanchette (Hope, R.I.) to secure the 3-1 victory.
The Leopards will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they host Western Connecticut at 7:00 p.m., while the Seahawks return to action on Tuesday, traveling to face Rhode Island College at 6:00 p.m.
(Release Courtesy of Salve Regina Sports Information)
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Wentworth........... 1 0 - 1
Salve Regina........ 2 1 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 23:10 SRU Kaitlyn Birrell (4) (unassisted)
2. 32:44 SRU Kaitlyn Birrell (5) (Liz Galla)
3. 37:30 WIT Olivia Moore (1) (Lucy Brown)
4. 67:02 SRU Kaitlyn Birrell (6) (Britt Blanchette)
Shots: Wentworth 7, Salve Regina 45
Saves: Wentworth 19 (Jess Gardner 19), Salve Regina 3 (Jessica Lane 1;
Kathleen Roche 2)
