ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons scored three first-half goals and never looked back Thursday night, cruising to a 5-0 American Southwest Conference victory over East Texas Baptist at the HSU Soccer Complex. The Cowgirls improved to 9-2-1 overall and remained unbeaten in conference play at 6-0.
Hardin-Simmons wasted little time taking control.
Maeve Connerty opened the scoring in the eighth minute off an assist from
Lexi Templin, giving the Cowgirls a 1-0 advantage. Just under five minutes later,
Tatum Barnett doubled the lead on a feed from Connerty. Connerty struck again in the 17th minute to push the margin to 3-0 before halftime.
The Cowgirls continued to press after the break. Templin found the back of the net in the 50th minute with Barnett earning the assist, extending the lead to 4-0.
Kate Cooper capped the scoring in the 90th minute on an assist from
Savannah Ruiz.
Connerty led the offensive attack with two goals and an assist, while Barnett and Templin each added a goal and an assist. Cooper accounted for the final tally as Hardin-Simmons outshot East Texas Baptist 24-12 and held a 16-6 advantage in shots on goal.
Rebecca Hall made five saves in 58 minutes to earn the shutout before
Peyton Scott recorded one save over the final 32 minutes. The Cowgirls also controlled possession throughout the contest, earning 11 corner kicks compared to two for the Tigers.
Hardin-Simmons returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Mary Hardin-Baylor in an ASC matchup at the HSU Soccer Complex with first kick set for 5 p.m.
--- www.hsuathletics.com ---
