ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Julia Kristensen netted a hat-trick as fifth-ranked Central Missouri Jennies soccer clinched its 13th MIAA Regular Season Championship in program history with a 4-1 victory at Missouri Western Friday, Oct. 21, on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium.
The Jennies (14-1-2, 8-1-1 MIAA) are scheduled to close out the regular season with a road match at Missouri Southern (2-13-1, 2-7-1 MIAA) Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. in Joplin, Mo.
UCM fell behind 1-0 after Missouri Western (5-8-4, 3-5-2 MIAA) scored a goal in the 16th minute.
The Griffon's advantage lasted less than a minute, as Kristensen corralled a loose ball on the right side of the box and slotted it into the lower left corner of the net, knotting the match, 1-1, in the 17th minute.
Sixteen minutes later, the Jennies found their go-ahead goal.
Lindsay Edmonds sent a perfect pass from beyond midfield to a cutting Kristensen on the left side of the pitch. Kristensen hammered it home from just inside the middle of the box for her second goal of the contest, giving Central Missouri the 2-1 edge in the 33rd minute.
UCM continued its offensive surge in the second half, increasing its lead to 3-1 in the 60th minute when
Madilyn Hamline controlled a deflected Missouri Western save in the box and fired the rebound into the back of the net for her ninth goal of 2022.
Kristensen completed the 19th hat-trick in Jennies soccer history 22 minutes later, controlling a free ball on the right side of the box and sliding it into the lower left corner, ballooning Central Missouri's advantage to 4-1.
With her three goals, Kristensen upped her season total to a team-best 12.
For the match, UCM outshot Missouri Western, 14-10, including a 6-4 edge in shots on goal.
Jennies goalkeeper
Sydney Beck (14-1-2) earned the win between the posts, going the full 90 minutes and making three saves while allowing just one goal.
Elisabeth Pujado scored the Griffons' lone goal of the match while Kaili Campbell compiled an assist, pacing Missouri Western in the contest.
Â
