ROANOKE, Va. – Junior forward Amanda Gustavsson walked away with the first hat trick of her career in the Averett University women's soccer team's 12-0 shutout over Hollins University on Wednesday afternoon at Moody Field.
 
Senior midfielder Katie Abelseth played a part in Averett's first three goals. Sophomore midfielder Skye Gunn scored her first goal of the season on a feed from Abelseth to put Averett (2-1) ahead 1-0 in the opening five minutes of action. At the 12:06 mark, freshman Christine Harris connected with Abelseth on a cross from the right side for a 2-0 lead. The two reversed roles for the Cougars' third goal when Abelseth booted the ball from the deep left corner to locate Harris cutting to the inside, eventually finding the back of the net for the first time this season. Abelseth and Harris finished with one goal and three assists each to total five points.
 
After Averett gained a 6-0 lead by halftime, the Cougars didn't let up going into the second period. Averett managed to find the inside of the posts again to get past Hollins (2-5), but this time, the Cougars scored three goals in a span of five minutes. Two boots came from Gustavsson, who had already scored one in the first half.
 
Senior defender Riley Smith ended the afternoon with two goals for the Cougars as freshman Lauren Cowling finished with two assists to help Averett head into conference play on a positive note.
 
The Cougars hit the road on Saturday, Sept. 17, for their first USA South matchup as they face conference foe Greensboro College at 4 p.m. The Greensboro Pride are undefeated and have only allowed one goal in its four matches.