Tuite's Hat Trick Lifts UNC over EWU

Sunday, October 22

Cheney, Wash.

1:00 PM

University of Northern Colorado

1-13-4, 1-4-3

Eastern Washington

2-14-1, 1-6-1

Northern Colo.

Eastern Wash.

10/22/2023 6:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Final Match Book Updated Season Stats Updated Season Stats - BSC Only

Lindberg Records a Clean Sheet

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

CHENEY, Wash. – Lexi Tuite tallied a hat trick and Kaya Lindberg posted a clean sheet in Northern Colorado's triumph over Eastern Washington at EWU Soccer Field Sunday.

Tuite's hat trick is the first in the program's DI era and one of 13 by freshmen in the country this season.

In the season finale for both sides, Tuite opened the scoring at the 8:57 mark of the first half. After creating a corner kick for her squad, the rookie beat the keeper when she drove the loose ball into the back of the net with her right boot. Lily Thimsen collected the assist with a deflection.

Rachel Mortensen doubled the advantage less than six minutes later. She beat two Eagles down the left wing, before cutting into the 18-yard box and firing a shot past a diving keeper and into the upper corner on the opposite side of the net.

With just under nine minutes remaining before halftime, Tuite struck again, pushing the Bears ahead 3-0. Anneliese Wong rifled an attempt at the bottom right corner of the goal that the keeper saved but left a rebound. Tuite remained onside until the shot, outraced her defender to the loose ball, and slid it under the sprawling goalie.

She completed her first career hat trick 94 seconds into the final 45 minutes. Lauren Woodhull cleared the defensive zone with an outlet pass to the near side, where Mortensen delivered a perfectly paced through ball to the top left corner of the 18-yard box. Tuite ran onto the pass and settled with her left by shifting the ball past a hard-charging defender and creating space to launch a shot over the outstretched keeper and under the crossbar.

TEAM RECORDS AND SERIES HISTORY

UNC improved to 1-13-4, including 1-4-3 in Big Sky play, while the Eagles fell to 2-14-1, 1-6-1.
- The Bears lead the all-time series 12-5-5, including 5-3-3 on Eastern Washington's home pitch.
UNC extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2) over the Eagles and 5-2-3 in the last 10.

TEAM NOTES

The Bears set season highs in goals (4), shots (27) and shots on goal (12).
Eastern Washington recorded 15 shots, with six on net.
UNC earned four corners and 14 fouls while allowing seven and nine, respectively.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Kaya Lindberg stopped five shots on the net while getting help from her defense on the other shot on frame.
- She earned her second shutout of the season and fifth in her career.
Tuite increased her team lead in goals to six.
- She netted her first game-winning goal and hat trick.
Francesca Jordan, Mia Norman and Lucy Roberts logged 90 minutes each.
Tuite paced the squad with six shots, with four between the posts.
Alex Michael, Mortensen, Thimsen, Woodhull and Wong accounted for an assist each.
Mortensen and Brooke Holmberg fired five attempts, with a pair on net each.
Thimsen and Woodhull tallied three shots a piece, with two on goal from Woodhull.
Wong and Bush recorded a pair of shots each with one on the frame.
Sydney Engelkins' lone attempt went outside the goal.