Freshman Danielle Sheehy and sophomore Melissa Hetherington both scored hat tricks as the No. 9 nationally ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer team rolled in its 2012 debut after a 7-0 victory Jayhawk Conference victory over Neosho County on Tuesday at a hot USD 308 Athletic Complex.
Sheehy became the sixth player in HCC soccer history to record a 10-point game, scoring four goals and two assists. Her 10-point game, which is the 10th in program history, tied for the sixth-most points scored in a single game and she is the 18th Lady Dragon in team history to score four goals in a game.
Hetherington, who led the nation in goals scored in her All-American freshman year, scored her sixth career hat trick with three goals and two assists for an eight-point game. This was also her sixth career game with eight or more points.
Hetherington also moved near two career records into the Top 10 of another offensive category. She jumped from fifth to third in career points with 94. She jumped into a tied for career with 39). She is now tied for ninth in career assists with 16.
Hutchinson won its sixth-straight season opener and seventh-straight home homer. HCC also won its eighth-straight game against Neosho County; the last six have been by shutout.
The Lady Dragons peppered 26 shots, 19 of which went on goal. Neosho County’s starting goalkeeper Haylee Merrill had 11 saves. Hutchinson surrendered seven shots, which only three made it on net. HCC starter Eunice Figueroa had two saves and Emily Soza had one.
Sheehy scored the season’s first goal just 8 minutes, 26 seconds into the when freshman Courtney Gahagen and Hetherington were credited with assists. The Lady Dragons led 2-0 on a penalty kick by Hetherington in the 13th minute.
Sheehy then netted her second goal of the game, taking a long pass from Figueroa, who was credited with an assist when Sheehy made a nifty move around Neosho County’s keeper for an uncontested goal. The assist by Figueroa was the second of her HCC career.
Hetherington and Sheehy teamed up again for the All-American’s second goal of the game in the 43rd minute for a 4-0 Lady Dragon lead.
Sheehy added two more to complete her four-goal game and Hetherington scored her hat trick in the 85th minute to lead 7-0.
The Lady Dragons play host to Kansas City in a Jayhawk Conference battle at 3 p.m. Friday at the USD 308 Athletic Complex.
GAME NOTES – The only time Hutchinson has lost a home opener came in 2005, a 2-1 loss to Neosho County in Hutch’s first game in history. … Sheehy and Hetherington scored the 44th and 45th hat tricks in team history. … The Lady Dragons posted all-time shutout No. 82.
(HCC Sports Information)
