First Hat Trick Against Montavello
Armstrong Atlantic’s home unbeaten streak continues after a 5-0 Peachbelt Conference victory over Montevallo. It has now been extended to 34, and the shutout also extends the Pirates’ current scoreless streak to 522 minutes and 22 seconds, the second-longest scoreless streak in Armstrong soccer history.
Armstrong Atlantic senior Morgan Mitchell (Lilburn, GA) put up her first career hat trick in leading the #15-ranked Pirates to the win.
Mitchell becomes just the fifth player for the Pirates (4-1-1, 2-0 PBC) to score a three goals in a game in the history of the program and is the first to do it since Kristina Pascutti scored three second-half goals against Flagler last fall.
The loss dropped Montevallo to 4-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Peach Belt.
“We knew coming into the match that Montevallo had some good results,” Armstrong head coach Eric Faulconer said. “I stressed to our team that we needed to be focused and get off to a quick start. Those two early goals allowed us to do that.
“It was a great defensive effort to hold Montevallo scoreless for the first time this season. Morgan continues to make oustanding plays for us and I’m excited that she was able to record her first career hat trick.”
Mitchell joins an exclusive group of Armstrong players to notch a hat trick. All-time goal scoring leader Kristin Burton had nine in her career, while Pascutti, Shana Neves and Amaka Ofuani each have one hat trick to their credit as Pirates.
The Pirate defense recently received some league recognition when junior defender Taylor Schultz was named the PBC Women’s Soccer Defender of the Week. The 5-6 central defender from Kennesaw, GA, anchors the back line that has now posted five shutouts, including Montavello, which had not been held without a goal this season.
Schultz’ teammate Emily Cattanach also earned league defensive honors earlier in the season.
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