Speno's Hat Trick Propels Women’s Soccer Past Husson, 3-1

QUINCY, Mass.- Junior Jules Speno (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) notched three first-half goals to lead the Eastern Nazarene women's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Husson Saturday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Lions improve to 2-1-0 overall with the result while the Eagles slide to 0-3-0.

The hosts got on the board early in the match, scoring on their first shot of the game. Speno unleashed a long-range strike from 30 yards away from goal in the third minute of action. Speno's shot sailed over the outstretched arms of the Eagles' goalkeeper and into the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

Eastern Nazarene added a goal in the 15th minute to stretch its lead to 2-0. Sam Williams (Forest Hill, Md.) served a low, driven corner kick into the box which bounced inside the six-yard box. Speno pounced on the loose ball, poking in her second tally of the day and third of the fall.

Speno netted her third goal of the contest in the 37th minute to complete the hat trick and give the Lions a 3-0 advantage. The junior striker fired a shot from inside the penalty box, beating the goalkeeper on the near post side to register her fourth marker of the season.

Moments after the home team tacked on its third goal of the half, Husson responded with a goal to cut the deficit to 3-1. Lacey Kent-Webber's shot from outside of the 18-yard line rolled into the left side of the cage for her first of the year.

Eastern Nazarene capped off the first half with a 10-3 edge in shots and a 2-0 margin in corner kicks earned.

In the second half, the Lions pressed to tally their fourth goal of the afternoon but were unable to find the back of the net. The hosts registered 13 shots in the second stanza with just three being on frame.

Eastern Nazarene's defense held strong in the second 45 minutes, allowing just one shot attempt and one corner kick to solidify the win.

Sophomore netminder Kristen Farley (Westminster, Mass.) turned aside a pair of shots to pick up the win in goal for the Lions. Jess Poulin made five saves between the pipes for Husson on the day.

Up next, the Lions hit the road for the first time this fall for an away match at Suffolk September 10.