WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University women's soccer team downed Lycoming 3-0 behind a first-half hat trick from Jordan Siok.
The reigning Landmark Conference Offensive Athlete of the Week would not be denied on the day, causing massive issues for the Warriors from the off.
Less than six minutes into the match, Siok was opportunistic and her hard work paid dividends for the Cardinals. She rushed onto a weak square ball, intercepting the pass and racing past Lycoming's centerback who was the intended target. She then rounded the goalkeeper with composure and slotted home to give the Cardinals an early lead.
Just three minutes later Siok was again too much to handle for the Lycoming backline. The senior danced past a defender on the left flank and raced into the penalty area before she was hacked down. She stepped up to convert the penalty kick herself, doubling Catholic's lead just 10 minutes into the match.
It was all Catholic in the first half as Lycoming did not put a shot on target and was unable to string together any meaningful possession in Catholic's half.
Siok completed her hat trick in the 28th minute after clever play from Katarina Bauer. The junior received the ball a few yards outside the penalty area and elected to recycle the service as Catholic still had numbers in the box. Bauer drove the ball low toward the center of the area where Siok took one touch before firing low on the turn into the back of the net.
Lycoming did improve in the second half, forcing Ava Rieger into two saves in the second frame, but it was all very comfortable for Catholic.
With the victory, Casey Sommers' side moves to 7-4-3 and 3-1-2 in Landmark Conference, keeping the Cardinals well in the mix to fight for the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and a bye into the semifinals.
The hat trick pushes Siok to 10 goals on the season, the second most in the conference. It also marks the first time in Siok's illustrious Catholic career that she has scored three goals in the same match.
Payton Hardy was dominant in her holding midfield role, winning virtually every ball in the middle of the park. Isabel Doherty and Mattigan DiBease were also lively in the middle.
The Cardinals now face the difficult task of finishing the season with four straight away games. Catholic will make the short trip to Goucher on Tuesday night for a Landmark Conference battle. Kickoff against the Gophers is set for 7 p.m.
