Box Score MACON, Ga. - Mississippi University for Women women's soccer got a hat trick from sophomore Kate Blankenship (Grenada, Miss./Grenada HS/Meridian CC), as it won its first-ever match as an NCAA Division III program over Wesleyan College, 5-0. The Owls (1-0) out-shot the Wolves (0-2) by a 30-1 margin.

"I was honored to have had the opportunity to accompany the women's soccer during this historic victory," Director of Athletics Jennifer Claybrook said. "Our team rose to the occasion and it was thrilling.(The players) are outstanding representatives of The W, SLIAC and NCAA Division III. It's a great day to be an Owl." 
 
Despite the huge disparity, statistics-wise, The W only led 1-0 at the intermission. Despite putting up 16 shot attempts in the opening half, MUW's lone goal came from freshman Kiersten Taylor (Pearl River, Miss./Pearl River HS), unassisted in the 21st minute.
 
In the second half, the Owls found the mark early – less than four minutes in, to be exact – as senior Lindsey Moyle (Pearl River, Miss./Pearl River HS) found the back of the net to make it 2-0. That score stood for the next 11 minutes.
 
Then at the 61:06 juncture, that Blankenship had what could best be described as five minutes of soccer bliss, scoring three unanswered goals in that span. The first was assisted by Taylor, followed by an unassisted tally at the 63:11 mark. At 65:54, Anacia Leyland assisted on Blankenship's third goal that made it the 5-0 final score.
 
"It is so exciting that we got our first D3 win in our first-ever official D3 game," Blankenship said. "We made history today, and plan to continue to do so for the rest of the season. We have had many speed bumps to overcome early on in the season. I am so proud of how the team has come together as a family.

"My hat trick is not just a result of my actions and abilities, it was our team working in unison to achieve our common goal. It would've been impossible without them. It felt incredible, and I can't wait to see what all else we accomplish throughout this season."
 
MUW goalkeeper Olivia Clark had just one save in a lonely day on the pitch, as the Owls' defenders kept the Wolves at bay. It was Clark's fourth career shutout with The W.
 
The Owls will next be in action at Huntingdon College on Sunday, September 10, in Montgomery, Ala.