The University of Redlands women's soccer team collected its first conference victory of the season by pounding the visiting Poets of Whittier College on Wednesday night, 8-0. Senior forward Fionna Connolly (Salem, OR) headlined the offensive attack with three goals and an assist to land among the program's all-time elite for a single contest. With tonight's performance, she now shares the Bulldogs' top spot for both points (7) and goals (3) in a single game.
The captain initiated the Maroon and Gray's onslaught by recording her third and fourth scores of the young season within the first 15 minutes of action.
Adding to the excitement, junior forward Blythe Lasher (Sacramento, CA) and rookie midfielder Kate Van Vuren (Seattle, WA) tallied the inaugural goals of their respective Redlands careers late in the first half. In addition, freshman forward Sierra Duarte (Portland, OR) notched assists on both scores.
Less than four minutes into the second half, junior forward Samantha Rivera (Thousand Oaks, CA) continued the Bulldogs' barrage with her third goal of the season.
In the 57th minute, Connolly struck again by finding the back of the net for the Bulldogs' sixth goal while completing a hat trick.
Fellow senior forward Kaily Benenati (Denver, CO) joined the fun by posting her third netter of the 2011 campaign to make it 7-0.
Junior midfielder Rheana Bales (Issaquah, WA) capped off the offensive outburst when she ripped her first career goal with 3:17 left in the contest.
The goalkeeper trio of junior Linzey Smith (Anaheim Hills, CA), sophomore Sabrina Grandke-Bawab (Kirkland, WA) and freshman Lucy Miller (Portland, OR) combined efforts en route to the shutout win.
Redlands (3-2-1, 1-2 SCIAC) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts fellow 2010 SCIAC Postseason finalist, Occidental College, in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Farquhar Field.