BOCA RATON, Fla. - Although there is still a week till Halloween, Melissa Ortiz trick and treated the Lynn University women's soccer team to a 5-0 victory over Eckerd on Saturday. The sophomore forward netted her first hat trick of the season and third of her career while converted goalkeeper Natalie Feller logged three assists in the field. Lynn evens its record at 8-8 overall while moving to 2-5 in the Sunshine State Conference.
An unproductive first 27 minutes gave way to a quick scoring strike to invigorate the Fighting Knights offense. Amanda Romeo-Gallo headed in ball off a cross and didn't relent when goalie
Kelly Zahorski dropped the initial save, passing off to Megan Walsh in the six-yard box who found Ortiz wide open for the easy goal at the right post.
Sarah Mendelsberg put LU ahead 2-0 in the 35th minute. Taking the give-and-go down the right sideline, Ortiz slipped a cross through the box and Mendelsberg beat a diving Zahorski with a one-touch shot for her sixth goal of the year.
Feller notched the first of her three assists just before halftime. Collecting a loose ball outside the midfield circle in Blue & White territory, the senior midfielder broke free up the middle and found Ortiz streaking to the right. One touch past her defender, Ortiz ripped a shot to the right post to put Lynn on top 3-0.
Held without a point over the last four games, Evernden found the back of the net in the 59th minute of play. Feller perfectly placed her free kick on the right sideline towards the back post and Evernden beat her defender and won a header past Zahorski for her fourth goal of the season.
Ortiz completed the hat trick with 19:50 left to play. Alyssa Rijavec began the play with a cross from the far right wing that was headed into the box by Feller. Ortiz ran on to the pass and smashed a shot to the upper left corner before Zahorski could make a play. The Wellington, Fla., native leads the team and the SSC with 14 goals and 35 points.
Lynn's defense had a spectacular afternoon, limiting Eckerd (2-11-1, 0-7 SSC) to just three shots in total, of which only one made its way to goal. The Tritons were outshot 22-3 overall and downed 6-1 in corner kicks.
