DANVILLE, Va. — Senior forward Annalies Jobsis nailed the first hat trick of her career to lead the Averett University women's soccer team to its first win of the season in its home opener against John Wesley University at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
 
Jobsis put Averett in the lead quickly at the 5:42 mark with a goal inside the box and followed up with another on a feed from junior forward Amanda Gustavsson midway through the first half. After notching a goal closely after Jobsis's first, the Lions managed to tie the match again when John Wesley's Yancy Rivas booted a ball from the left on a throw-in from Ashley Magallon.
 
With the game knotted at halftime, the Cougars' defense halted John Wesley's scoring from then on. They took control offensively, hardly allowing the ball on the other end of the field to limit John Wesley to nine total shots compared to Averett's 42.
 
About 15 minutes into the second period, senior midfielder Katie Abelseth hit the game-winner with a shot from the side of the goal that ricocheted off the post and past the line to claim her first score of the season.  
 
Sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Barbour also netted the ball for her first goal while also nailing the assist to Jobsis with a spot-on pass to box from the right side as the senior found the back of the net with 35.1 seconds left in regulation to finish with three goals.
 
Averett returns to the field next Wednesday, Sept. 14, to face Hollins University at 4 p.m. The game will be the first of a three-game road trip for the Cougars.