DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University women's soccer tallied its first win of the season with a 4-1 performance against Greensboro College on Saturday on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
 
Averett (1-0-1) conceded first in the contest as Greensboro (0-4-0) snagged the lead on a shot from way out in the 11th minute. The Cougars roared right back in the first half with back to back goals from senior Celia de Diego. Her first found the back of the net in the 14th minute as she capitalized on a breakaway opportunity set up by brilliant solo effort. Less than a minute later de Diego capitalized on a well-placed corner kick for the Cougars, as Averett pulled ahead on what would be the deciding goal of the match. Sophomore Leah Brethren scored next for Averett. Brethren caught the Pride's keeper off her line and laced a shot into the net from deep in the corner.
 
Play slowed down in the second half as Averett drained clock and held onto the comfortable advantage. A free kick in good position allowed the Cougars the chance to tack on another, de Diego found space and placed her shot in the upper corner of the goal to best the Greensboro keeper for the third time in the game.

With her three goals on Saturday, de Diego moved into sole possession of second place all-time in career goals for the Cougars with 40 — one behind Hall of Famer Pernilla Milton '13 (2010-12). She also inched closer to Milton and fellow Hall of Famer Sandra Johansson '14 (2010-13), who share the record for career points with 98. After adding six points with her hat trick, de Diego has 90 points.

After allowing the early score senior Tiffany Hargett kept things clean on the backend for the Cougars. Hargett logged five saves to keep Averett comfortably ahead of Greensboro throughout the second half of play.
 
The Cougars' win marks their first of the season, and the first in the career of first-year head coach Colton Dutchess, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday.
 
Averett heads on the road for the first time this season as the Cougars visit Meredith College for a 5 p.m. kickoff on Wednesday, Sept. 11.


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