RUSTON, La. – HCU women's soccer jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead in the first 28 minutes of the Huskies' non-conference matchup against Grambling State on Thursday evening and picked up a 4-2 win at the Ruston Sports Complex.
The Huskies (2-3-1) doubled their goal total for the season, having scored two goals in their first five games of the year. After failing to put the ball in the net the last two matches while putting 13 shots on goal, HCU scored four times on its first five shot attempts of the match on Thursday.
After a fourth minute shot from Olivia Rossman missed, the Huskies' next shot was a goal from Mikaela Valentine in the 10th minute. Just a few minutes later, at the 12:54 mark, Madison Stormberg netted her first goal of the season with an assist from Rossman. Less than two minutes later, Stormberg made it a brace with assists from Rossman and Paisley Barela in the 15th minute for a 3-0 advantage. Grambling (1-3-1) managed its first shot of the game in the 26th minute, putting a shot on target but Emmy McKeon made the save. Shortly thereafter, at the 27:28 mark, Rossman put one in the goal with an assist from Barela and gave the Huskies a big 4-0 lead that they would take into the half.
In the second half, the Tigers managed to sneak a pair of goals in the 64th and 72nd minutes among their four shot attempts of the half.
Rossman had a hand in three of the Huskies' four goals, her first goal involvements of the season, and now has 16 career goals and nine career assists for 41 career points. Her 41 points ranks ninth all-time at HCU and her 16 goals put her alone in eighth on the all-time list.
Valentine's goal was the first of her collegiate career while Stormberg's two goals give her the team lead. Additionally, Barela now leads the Huskies with three assists. In goal, McKeon picked up the win after not allowing a goal and making three saves in 57:34 on the pitch. She now stands tied for fifth in program history with 14 career wins.
HCU held a 10-8 advantage in shots attempts, though Grambling put six shots on target to the Huskies' five.
HCU is back home at Sorrels Field this Sunday, Sept. 6, afternoon at 1:00 p.m. to face off against Tarleton State as non-conference play continues.
