Picard Hat Trick Powers Women's Soccer Past Pilgrims in GNAC Opener

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's soccer team opened its home and Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) slate in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, rolling past New England College (NEC), 6-0, at the USJ Soccer Field in West Hartford, Conn. The game was suspended in the 73rd minute due to lightning in the area and later called due to severe weather.

The Blue Jays (1-2-0, 1-0-0 GNAC) struck early and often, scoring three goals in each half to secure their first win of the season and a clean sheet in conference play. USJ outshot NEC (0-3-0) by a margin of 23-4, including 12-2 in shots on goal.

There was no shortage of offense in this one for USJ as it quickly opened the scoring in the seventh minute when senior forward Zoe Zappone (Plymouth, Conn.) found the back of the net off a pass from senior midfielder Alana Picard (Windsor Locks, Conn.). Picard, who was involved in four of the Blue Jays' six goals, would add back-to-back goals of her own in the 25th and 28th minutes, capitalizing on crisp passes from Zappone and freshman midfielder Brooke Gallop (Hermon, Maine) to extend the Blue Jays' lead to 3-0.

In the second half, junior forward Kristina Topper (Torrington, Conn.) and senior forward Christina Quitoni (Patchogue, N.Y.) each added goals within a minute of each other, putting the Blue Jays in total control of the match, 5-0. Picard then completed her hat trick in the 53rd minute with an unassisted goal to round out the scoring and secure a 6-0 USJ victory before the inclement weather rolled in. 

Junior goalkeeper Madison Corcoran (Bristol, Conn.) stood firm in net and made one save on the day, as the Blue Jays' defense made her afternoon a quiet one by consistently breaking up NEC's advances. Sophomore goalkeeper Erika Horne (Killingly, Conn.) entered the game later in the second half and preserved the shutout by also making one save in her first collegiate appearance between the pipes for the Blue Jays.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays aim to stay unbeaten at home as they host cross-town foe Trinity College for a non-conference match on Tuesday, September 9. Kickoff between the Blue Jays and Bantams is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from the USJ Soccer Field in West Hartford, Conn.

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