URBANA, Ohio – Urbana University's
Alyssa Edwards recorded a hat trick in the first half and the Blue Knights held on to defeat Frostburg State 5-4 in a downpour at UU Stadium.
With the win, UU leaps Frostburg in the MEC North Division for the third and final postseason tournament qualifying spot. The Blue Knights improved to 6-5-1 (6-7-1 overall) in league play.
Edwards, who is now tied for seventh in program history with 18 career goals, quickly scored her first two goals in the 10th and 14th minutes. Her trick came in the 26th minute to put the Blue Knights ahead 4-0 at halftime. It was the first hat trick of the D2 era and the first by a Blue Knight women's soccer player since 2009.
In the first minute,
Kristen Dickison got the scoring started for Urbana on a breakaway.
Sophia Thomas also added on a goal within the first few minutes of the second half and the rout seemed to be in full effect.
However, Frostburg didn't go away.
After the Blue Knights outshot the Bobcats 12-10 in the opening period. Frostburg (6-9-1, 6-7-0 MEC) bombarded the net over the course of the final period, outshooting Urbana 19-3.
The visitors made it a one-point game with seven minutes left after Brooke Shehade's goal made it 5-4. Then, the Bobcats had four looks over the final few minutes, but Urbana's goalkeeper
Hazel Sanz produced a pair of fantastic saves. The junior keeper finished with 15 total saves.
UU's five goals in the victory are the third-most scored in the D2 era. Additionally, the six league wins are a new program-high since joining the MEC in 2013.
UP NEXT: UU hosts MEC South leader Concord for an early 12:30 p.m. match on Saturday.
