Shore’s Hat Trick Lifts Warrior Women’s Soccer to 3-2 Triumph over Pacific

9/6/2018 10:12:00 PM

Jarett Thoren, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

SALEM, Ore. – Hannah Shore wasted no time making her presence on the pitch felt after returning from injury on Thursday evening, accounting for all three goals scored by Corban University women's soccer in the squad's 3-2 victory over Pacific.

Click the 'Play Button' above to watch video highlights of tonight's win.

"The ladies worked very hard today to give us a much needed win," said head coach Likius Hafeni. "We started slow and did not get into a rhythm. However, we played well in the second half, we kept the ball and were patient with it. It's good to have some of our players back from injury, and we are excited to have Hannah up front. She was clinical and confident in front of the goal."

Click here to watch Shore's post-game interview, following her incredible performance.

The early outlook wasn't encouraging for the Navy and Gold, with Pacific's Emily Thompson finding the back of the net from 35 yards out to give the Boxers a 1-0 advantage in just the 2^nd minute of play.

Undeterred, the Warriors responded valiantly, responding with a consistent attack that led to a number of opportunities. Roughly midway through the first half, Hafeni introduced some well-timed substitutions to the fold, with players like Shore, Eve Ponce, Katie Hiller, and Ashlyn van der Linden providing a noticeable boost of energy to the Warrior attack.

In the 38^th minute, Shore capitalized on a beautiful pass from Riley Smetzler to net the equalizer, with the half concluding with both teams knotted up at one apiece.

The Navy and Gold stormed out of the gates in the second half, with Shore breaking away and beating the Boxer goalkeeper to put the Warriors ahead in the 51^st minute, and then combining with Lexi McQueary just four minutes later to cap off her first collegiate hat trick.

The vigorous Corban offense out-shot Pacific 24-13 on the evening.

The Boxers would make things exciting towards the end of the contest, with Kira Negrete following up a saved penalty kick to find the back of the net in the 82^nd minute to pull the game within one. However, the Warrior defense would hold strong, enduring the Boxer attack in the waning minutes to seal the victory.

The win is a valuable one for the Navy and Gold, as the team sets its sights on one final tune-up match before tackling conference play.

Corban (2-2) will return to action this weekend against another NCAA Division 3 opponent, Linfield College. Kick-off for Saturday's match is set for 7 p.m. at the CFC Soccer Complex.