Hat Trick by Hardardottir Leads Women's Soccer to Win in Season Opener

ATHENS, Tenn.- The 2023 season opener occurred for the women's soccer program on Saturday. The team played their first regular season game on their home field, hosting the Dalton State College Lady Roadrunners at the TWU Athletic Complex.

Early in the game, Tennessee Wesleyan controlled the ball, forcing two corner kicks. In the eighth minute of the game, the pressure turned into the team's first goal as Krista Eik Hardardottir scored off Jordan Smith's assist. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Lady Bulldogs over the next 37 minutes, sending TWU into halftime with their one-goal advantage.

A promising shot by Annabel Cuthbert was blocked in the opening segment of the second half. In the 56^th minute, Hardardottir took an errant pass from the opponents forced by the Lady Bulldogs' defensive midfield and turned it into the game's second goal, moving the lead to 2-0. Seven minutes later, Cuthbert forced a turnover and sent a guiding pass to Hardardottir, who broke away from the opposing defense for a goal, giving the striker a hat trick and the team a 3-0 advantage. Tennessee Wesleyan defended six corner kicks in the second half while holding on to their three-goal advantage to give the team the season-opening shutout win.

Laia Roch Font had three saves in the net for the team.

Next for the Lady Bulldogs (1-0) is a home game on Friday against Eastern Oregon University. The game at the TWU Athletic Complex is set to begin at 5:00 p.m.