Box Score LITTLE ROCK – For the second time in as many games, a UALR soccer player had a first-half hat trick as the Trojans claimed a shutout victory.
After senior Ariel Galletti's three goals against Chicago State on Friday night, freshman Quin Wilkes chipped in three goals of her own off the bench in a 6-0 victory against Southern on Sunday afternoon.
The Trojans (2-0) dominated the game – which was played in 100-degree heat – and outshot the visiting Jaguars (0-2) by a 31-1 count over the course of the game. Louise Kallin, Alyson Rohane and Fali Garuba also scored for the Trojans while Garuba, Maila Carboni (2), Mikayla Uyokpeyi and Hali Long added assists.
UALR is now 2-0 for the second consecutive season and remains 2-0 lifetime against Southern. UALR's 13 goals scored over the first two games of the season is its highest total ever to open a year, beating out last year's total of 10 goals in the first two contests.
Kallin got the party started in the just the third minute, taking advantage of a Southern miscue. The Jaguars' goaltender tried to clear a ball from outside the penalty box, and her clearance went right to Kallin. She made the keeper pay, lifting a long ball over the goalie's head and into the net as she scrambled to get back into position.
The Trojans' attack had multiple chances in the ensuing 25 minutes, but it was a penalty kick that finally gave the team its insurance goal. Rohane went down in the box on a foul by a Southern player, and she was rewarded with an opportunity from the spot. She did not miss, converting the attempt for a 2-0 UALR advantage.
The goals came quickly after that. Garuba got her second goal in two games in the 31st minute, breaking through the Southern back line and beating the keeper with a strong shot.
That's when Wilkes' hat trick came, as the freshman struck three consecutive times in a 12-minute span after coming off the bench. Her first goal came off a nifty pass from Garuba as the two had just one defender in front of them on a breakaway. Garuba slotted the ball perfectly to Wilkes on the left, and Wilkes merely had to tap the ball over the line for the goal.
Four minutes later, Wilkes again got in a dangerous area and cleaned up two missed Trojans shots. Uyokpeyi took the first strike from the top of the box, and the Jaguars goalie made the save. The rebound bounced out to Carboni, who nudged it into the left post. That's when Wilkes stepped in, pouncing on the rebound and making it a 5-0 game.
Her final goal was again thanks to Carboni. The Ontario native crossed a beautiful ball into the box, and Wilkes knocked the ball over the line to give the Trojans their final tally of the game. Long started the play with a breakout pass to Carboni down the sideline.
Sophomore Sara Cavanagh (2-0) got the win for UALR for the second consecutive game, though she did not have to make a save. Freshman Bre Ilkuf played the second half again and also went without a save.
The goalies owed their clean sheets to the midfield and defense, which stifled the Southern attack at every turn. Amanda Wilkinson, Hali Long, Linnea Kogsta and Lauren Brownrigg started on the back line, and Kailie Holloway, Harriett Pallett, Elise Brune and Laureen Brilka also contributed significant minutes in the effort.
The Trojans return to action on Friday when Nicholls State comes to town as part of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Invitational. UALR and Nicholls State kick off at 7 p.m.
