MADISON, N.J. (October 10, 2017) - Freshman
Erica Martins had a second half hat-trick to lead the FDU women's soccer team past Delaware Valley 4-0 Tuesday evening.
Martins becomes the second Devils player in a week to score a hat-trick, joining classmate
Nathalia Gallo who accomplished the feat against the College of Staten Island last Tuesday.
With the win, FDU moves to 8-5, 1-2 in the MAC Freedom, while Delaware Valley drops to 2-10-1, 0-3 in conference.
The Devils failed to convert their first three shot attempts, but made the fourth one count. In the 14th minute, freshman
Amanda Croce fed classmate
Tatiana Nieto who faked out a defender and shot bottom right eluding the keeper for her second tally of the season.
Despite that being the only tally of the first half, the Devils controlled play in the Aggies, holding a 15-0 shot advantage. The Aggies only made seven saves to keep it a one goal edge heading into the second half.
Just 4:19 into the second stanza, Martins took advantage of a miscue for her first of the night. A ball was crossed in and as Martins chased it, deflected out of the goalies hands right to her feet. The rookie turned and blasted a shot into the net for her sixth of the season. In the 57th minute, Martins used an individual effort, cutting inside from the right to deposit her second goal nearside, giving FDU the 3-0 lead.
Delaware Valley looked for a goal to spark momentum, but two second half chances were stopped by freshman
Ashley Paulino. With 11:07 left in the game, freshman
Madeline Finnegan fired a shot off the post, but the ball caromed right to Martins who was able to complete the hat trick. Paulino made one additional stop to preserve the 4-0 shutout victory.
Martins had a career-high nine shot attempts. while Croce and Nieto combined for 11. Paulino made three saves in the win.
The Devils hit the road on Saturday, taking on Eastern at 12 p.m.
