RIDGELAND, MS - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's soccer team opened up their 2023 campaign with a record-setting win over Tougaloo College.
The Lady Lions posted a 16-0 shutout over Tougaloo for the program's most scored goals in a match.
Brooke Gonzalez got things going for the Lady Lions with the first goal of the game in the second minute of the match.
After a slow pace following the go-ahead goal, Yiselle Bernal started the Lady Lions' hot streak with her first career goal in the 29th minute of the first half, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Emma Peyton scored her first career goal in the 35th minute to give UAPB A 3-0 lead. A little over a minute later, Iyanah Hicks would score a 36th-minute goal, before adding goals in the 39th and 42nd-minute to collect her first hat trick of the season and give the Lady Lions a commanding 6-0 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, the Lady Lions would dominate Tougaloo with 10 goals, including first-career collegiate goals for Sydney Azuero and captain Brisha Musungu. Madison Hernandez and Emma Peyton both join Hicks in collecting hat tricks, while Ashley McGuire and Denisse Quintanilla both tacked on their first goal of the season in the win.
UAPB shot a total of 56 shots, including 33 shots on goal and 7 of the 16 goals being assisted.
Head Coach Erik Solberg saw some great production from his group in the win.
"It was definitely a comprehensive, complete team effort from our team," Solberg remarked on the season opener. "We didn't play our best starting off, but we really grew into the game as it went on. I was pleased to see three players, two who are true seniors and one a newcomer, all get hat tricks as well three players, including one of our captains, all score their first collegiate goal. At the end of the day, we walk away feeling good about our performance, but we know that it's just the beginning and we still have work to do. So we'll continue to grow while staying humble and hungry."
The Lady Lions look to stay hot as they travel to Houston, Texas on Sunday to face North American University. Game time will be at 7:00 PM CST.
#1TEAM1ROAR
