DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University women's soccer breezed by Hollins University for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory.
Averett (2-9-1, 1-5-0 ODAC) picked up its first ODAC victory as the Cougars handed Hollins (3-8-1, 1-5-0 ODAC) a 12-1 defeat.
The Cougars scored early and often against Hollins. Senior
Isobel Evans cracked the ice in the ninth minute with a strike into the net set up by freshman
Gabriella Alvarado. Evans' fourth goal of the season vaulted Averett into a lead that the home side refused to relinquish. Senior
Gianna Minafo tacked on Averett's next score, another senior finding the net with an assist from a newcomer, with freshman
Isabella Kelly setting up the 11th minute goal. After seniors opened the scoring, it became time for a freshman takeover. Kelly netted a shot after an assist from freshman
Delaney Haymore, and Haymore scored a goal of her own shortly after with the assist credited to Minafo. Haymore's 18th minute strike kicked off a run of dominance for the freshman winger, from nearby Dry Fork, Virginia, who went on to score three straight for the Cougars in the 29th and 34th minutes. Averett's first half showcase concluded with a goal from senior
Marlee Luckett, and an assist from Haymore, to extend the lead out to 7-1.
The game's result was all but decided after the first half of play, but Averett kept up the pressure until the final whistle. Haymore added two more goals early in the final 45 minutes of play, breaking into the scoring column in a big way with a five goal performance. Alvarado picked up a goal, Kelly added another, and Evans bookended the game's scoring in the final minute to push the Cougars lead to 12-1.
Averett's dominant offensive performance was spearheaded by a mixture of youth and experience. Haymore led the way, scoring five goals and adding three assists to her immaculate performance. Evans and Kelly dueled for the game's second star, as each boasted two goals and an assist on their statline, while Minafo and Alvarado both tallied one goal and one assist. Junior goalkeeper
Krista Hinebaugh kept Hollins quiet for much of the afternoon, recording seven saves while also picking up an assist along the way.
Averett rides a wave of momentum into an important date with Eastern Mennonite University on Sunday, Oct. 19. The Cougars will be the closing act on Averett's Homecoming weekend, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. against the Royals.
