UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. — Mari Williams scored three goals in a blistering four-minute span and Isabella Soria added a hat trick of her own, as the Indiana University Northwest women's soccer team routed Governors State 12-2 on Saturday.
The RedHawks wasted no time taking control. Williams opened the scoring in the 14th minute off an assist from Erin Harrison, then struck again just over a minute later, finished by Harrison and Ava Haluska. She completed her hat trick in the 17th minute, set up by Maya Maldonado and Daisy Bonilla, needing just over three minutes to score all three goals. Maldonado added a fourth in the 20th minute, assisted by Haluska, to give IUN a commanding 4-0 lead.
Governors State got on the board in the 30th minute when Mia Carias converted an assist from Zoraya Marquez, but the RedHawks answered immediately. Freshman Hannah Pesich scored less than a minute later off a feed from Maldonado for her first collegiate goal, and Maldonado tacked on her second of the match in the 32nd minute, assisted by Pesich and Eva Montes, to push the lead to 6-1 heading into the break.
IUN continued to pour it on after halftime. Daisy Bonilla scored in the 55th minute off a Williams assist, and Piper Ellenberger followed in the 60th minute, set up by Maldonado, to make it 8-1. Marquez answered for Governors State in the 60th minute, but the RedHawks had too much firepower. Soria opened her hat trick in the 64th minute, assisted by Pesich, then Pesich scored her second of the match in the 71st minute off assists from Allison Farmer and Soria. Soria struck again in the 72nd minute, set up by Marisa Paredes, and completed her hat trick in the 75th minute off an assist from Brooke Chandler to close out the scoring at 12-2.
The match also featured a Governors State red card in the 53rd minute, though IUN was unable to convert the ensuing penalty kick, with Williams' attempt going wide.
Kaleigh Blatti made one save in goal for the RedHawks, while Hannah Mailander turned aside 24 shots in a difficult outing for Governors State. IUN finished with a dominant 58-6 advantage in total shots.
With the win, Indiana Northwest improves to 7-4-1 on the season. The RedHawks return home Wednesday, Oct. 7, to host IU South Bend at East Chicago Central High School in a match honoring Mental Health Awareness Week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT.
