LITTLE ROCK – A hat trick from Erna Gutjonsdottir was the offensive spark Little Rock needed as the Trojans cruised to a 4-0 win over UT-Rio Grande Valley Sunday. With the victory, Little Rock evened its 2017 record at 5-5-1 while remaining undefeated at home (5-0-1).
With Little Rock holding a 1-0 lead, Gutjonsdottir notched her first goal of the season in the 31st minute, firing a shot from about 10 yards beyond the box just inside the left upright. Gutjonsdottir then found the back of the net twice in a three-minute period, putting shots past the UTRGV goalkeeper off loose ball opportunities, pushing Little Rock's lead to 4-0 after 45 minutes.
The Trojans came out firing from the opening whistle, outshooting the Vaqueros 8-0 over the first 10 minutes, capped by
Liesa Seifert's header goal off a corner kick from
Jaclyn Purvine in the 10th minute. Following an even back-and-forth tilt, Gutjonsdottir began her streak beginning in the 31st minute.
After 45 minutes, the Trojans held an 11-7 shots on the Vaqueros and a convincing 7-1 lead in corner kicks.
Kate Hamilton, making the start in goal, registered a pair of saves, with UTRGV's Erica Gonzalez notching a pair as well.
The second half saw the two teams match evenly with UTRGV holding the edge in shots at 8-7. Both teams had opportunities to add to their totals, but four saves from Hamilton and three from Gonzalez kept the score at 4-0 in favor of the home team.
For the game, Little Rock held the advantage in shots (18-15) and saves (6-5) while holding a commanding 8-2 edge in corner kicks. The offensive surge was also a welcome relief for the Trojans who had registered just one goal in their past two games.
Gudjonsdottir registered a game-high four shots, putting all of them on net, with
Morgan Smocovich and
Doro Greulich each adding three shots apiece. Seifert's goal was one of her two shots with
Samantha Rolka and
Arola Aparicio Gili each taking a pair of shots as well.
The victory for the Trojans keeps Little Rock undefeated at home with a 5-0-1 record. Little Rock looks to extend that mark next weekend, welcoming ULM and Coastal Carolina to Coleman to close out the three game home stand. The Trojans and Warhawks will square off at 7 p.m. Friday, September 29.
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