Tritons Explode for Six Goals, Linton Ties Record in Win over Spring Hill

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Eckerd women's soccer team exploded for its highest offensive output since 2014 while a freshman tied a program record in the process.

The Tritons picked up their first win of the season dominating Spring Hill (Ala.) College at the Flagler Invitational, 6-0.  Stephanie Linton recorded four goals, two in each half, to become the first Triton since 1998 to find the net four times in a game.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 6, Spring Hill 0
Records: Eckerd 1-2, Spring Hill 0-2
All-Time Series: Eckerd leads, 1-0

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Tritons wasted little time in taking control of the match, scoring three goals in the first nine minutes of play.  The opening goal came in the fifth minute when Linton sent the match's first shot past Badger keeper H.P. Fluharty into the back of the net.
- Linton struck again in the eighth minute after receiving a pass from Paula Astiazaran for her second goal. Just over a minute later, Sydney Tiiman gave EC a 3-0 advantage on a goal assisted by Marie Zeidler via a thru-ball down the right side of the field.
- Eckerd continued to send a barrage of shots at the SHC frame but didn't score again until the 73rd minute when the goal came in a rare fashion.  Taking a corner kick from the right side, Gabriela Martinez bent a ball inside the near post for her first career goal.
- Linton completed the hat trick in the 78th minute after receiving a long pass down the center of the field from Brooke Silvest, dribbling through two defenders and beating Hannah Shankman to the right post.
- The freshman added her record-tying fourth goal moments later.  Madison Dilgard won a ball at midfield and one-timed a pass to Kayla Gray.  Gray then carried it downfield and slid a pass to Linton streaking down the left side, who took one touch and slipped a shot past a diving Shankman to complete the Tritons' scoring outburst.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Eckerd dominated both possession and shots, firing 26 attempts while limiting SHC to five.  The Tritons placed 14 shots on frame.  Linton took nine shots while Gray had six.
- Casey Winn stopped three shots in just under 79 minutes of action while Adriana Carrol completed the shutout in the final 11 minutes.

NOTABLE
- Linton's four-goal performance ties the program record for the most goals in a game.  It last happened in 1998 when Karah Smith did it twice, both times against Florida Southern.  It was the first Eckerd hat trick since Arie Anahory accomplished the feat in back-to-back games in 2014.

QUOTABLE
"It was a tough weekend but I'm excited with the way our team came together today.  Our defense was together and communication was present.  Steph Linton worked hard and does her job, and has great players like Kayla Gray and Paula Astiazaran feeding her the ball.  It was a great team effort." - EC head coach Danielle Fotopoulos

NEXT UP
- After playing three matches in four days, the team gets a well-deserved break before hosting Southeastern (Fla.) University on Saturday, September 9, at 7:00 PM.  The Fire are ranked No. 20 in the NAIA preseason poll.