BUCKHANNON — The West Virginia Wesleyan College women’s soccer team broke an -eight game losing streak with a dominating win over Salem University 12-0, Sunday afternoon at Culpepper Stadium.
Two hat tricks accounted for half the goals, one by Beth Burchett and the other by Ellie Pergolotti, both 2023 season goal leaders for the Lady Bobcats. Burchett’s goals came in the 23rd minute (assist by Tessa Grisez), 46th minute (assist by Pergolotti) and the 58th minute (assist by Grisez). Pergolotti scored her hat trick with goals in the 52nd minute (assist by Ava Badallo), 54th minute (unassisted), and the 61st minute (unassisted).
Picking up her first two goals of the year was Iris Jimenez who found the back of the net in quick succession, scoring in the 13th minute (assist by Kameron Bonneau) and 17th minute (assist by Pergolotti). Also scoring a first-of-the-year goal was Natalie Carlock (assist by Badallo) in the 34th minute.
Emma Pankiewicz (9th minute), Paloma Zamora (57th minute) and Bonneau (69th minute) added unassisted goals to round out the Bobcat lopsided victory.
Salem did not enter the Lady Bobcats’ defensive end much in the 90-minute contest as evidenced by its shotless scorecard.
“I’m very happy with how we performed specifically on the offensive side of the ball,” said head coach Adam Christensen. “Our ball movement in the back and the quality of runs from the top allowed us to control the game and implement the game plan we put together. Congratulations to Ellie Pergolotti and Beth Burchette on their hat tricks and Emma and Natalie for scoring their first collegiate goals.”
Wesleyan returns to action when the ladies visit Wheeling University on Wednesday, Oct. 11 for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
