ATHENS, W.Va. – Junior forward
Pilar Elias' hat trick led the Concord University women's soccer team to a 4-3 win over Wheeling Jesuit Wednesday afternoon at Anderson Field in Mountain East Conference.
Elias' hat trick was just the second in the MEC this season as the Mountain Lions improve to 9-6 overall and 7-6 against league foe. Wheeling Jesuit falls to 4-11 and 3-10 on the season.
Elias opened the scoring after a corner kicker was unable to be cleared away from the WJU defense. Freshman midfielder
Courtney Wallace served the corner into the box where Wheeling Jesuit was able to clear the ball away initially, but it dribbled right to Elias for a rocket shot over the goalie.
Wheeling Jesuit erased the 1-0 deficit with two unanswered scores to take a 2-1 edge in the 37
th minute. However, Elias answered the two Cardinals' scores with her second goal in the 39
th minute. This time, the Waterville, Maine native dribbled through the defense and deposited the ball into the back of the net.
The game remained tied 2-2 at halftime.
Sophomore defender
Delaney Crumblish was able to capitalize on a Wheeling Jesuit defensive mistake early in the second half. The Cardinals turned the ball over just outside the penalty area where Crumblish was waiting. The Clermont, Florida native used both goal posts to score her third goal of the season as the ball ricocheted off each post before going in.
Elias completed her hat trick in the 63
rd minute as she crashed towards the goal on a cross from Wallace. The third goal from Elias put Concord up 4-2. But, the Cardinals weren't done as they grabbed a goal with less than 30 seconds left.
In the final 10 seconds of the contest, freshman goalkeeper
Katie Maher had to make one of her five saves in the game to preserve the 4-3 win.
Elias' hat trick was the first for a Concord player since Kari Simon scored three in 2013 at home against Shepherd. The only other player with a hat trick in the MEC this season is Notre Dame's Alexis Manoa.
Concord had eight shots on goal. Elias had three while Crumblish recorded two.
CU hosts Fairmont State 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
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