The Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer record book had another major re-write on Friday as sophomore forward Melissa Hetherington broke three single-game or career records and tied another career mark as the third-ranked Lady Dragons defeated Independence 13-0 in a Jayhawk Conference contest at the USD 308 Athletic Complex.
Hetherington broke single-game individual marks with seven goals and 16 total points against the Pirates, topping records she established during her first-team All-America season in 2011. She scored the seven goals on 10 total shots. Four of her goals came in the second half. Hetherington added two assists, which is her fourth-straight multi-assist game in as many games this season.
With her first goal on Friday, Hetherington surpassed Caitlyn Coney (2009-10) as the program’s career points leader. She now has 120 points in just 24 games played for HCC. Hetherington’s seventh goal of the game tied Coney for the career goals least with 48.
In addition to her records, Hetherington moved into the top five in career assists with 24 helpers this season. Through four games, Hetherington has 12 goals, 10 assists and 34 points.
The Lady Dragons (4-0, 4-0 Jayhawk West) had several brilliant goals against the Pirates (0-3, 0-1).
The 13 goals and 13-goal margin-of-victory tied for the eighth most in team history. The 11 assists tied for seventh most and the 37 points scored tied for seventh most in team history. HCC’s nine first-half goals tied for fourth most.
Freshman Danielle Sheehy posted her fourth-straight multi-goal game with two goals and a season-high four assists. She has scored eight or more points in four-consecutive games to start her career.
Sophomore Nicole Cronin had a career-high five points with a rocket of a goal from 25 yards out and a career-best three assists.
Freshman Stephany Cushing had her third-straight multi-point game with a goal and assist. Cushing’s goal, just a little chip shot over Indy goalkeeper Bailey Brown, came just 20 seconds into the game, which is the fastest goal scored in team history.
Freshman Arielle Everett scored her first career goal and sophomore Jamie Smith added an assist.
Hutchinson out-shot Independence 48-1, peppering 27 shots on goal. This was the 16th time in team history to hold an opponent without a shot on goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Soza (2-0) picked up her second shutout of the season and the fifth of her career. That ranks fifth on the career goalkeeper’s chart.
HCC now has four-straight shutouts to start the season. Friday’s blanking of Indy was the 85th shutout in HCC team history in 112 all-time victories.
Hutchinson will hit the road for a pair of matches – 7 p.m. on Monday at Hesston College and 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Pratt – before coming home on Sept. 15 to take on No. 10 Johnson County in a key Jayhawk Conference battle at the USD 308 Athletic Complex.
GAME NOTES – Melissa Hetherington had her 14th career multi-point game, which is tied for fifth on the career list. She had her 10th multi-goal game, which is third on the career list. … Hetherington posted her fourth career game-winning assists, which ties for third most and she had her seventh career multi-assist game, which also ties for third most in team history. … Hetherington scored eight points in each half, both rank in a tie for fifth-most in a game. Her four second-half goals tied for fourth most. … Danielle Sheehy’s four assists tie for fourth most in a game. Her three assists in the first half also tied for fourth in a single half. … HCC is now 6-0 all-time against Independence, out-scoring the Pirates 74-0. … HCC had 15 corner kicks on Friday.
(HCC Sports Information)
