Couite’s Hat Trick Propels Women’s Soccer to 5-1 Win over Mass. Maritime

QUINCY, Mass.- Senior Kelly Couite (West Bridgewater, Mass.) bagged three goals to power the Eastern Nazarene College women's soccer team to its first win of the season, a 5-1 victory over the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Wednesday evening at Veterans' Memorial Stadium.

With the victory, the Lions jump to 1-2-0 on the year while the Buccaneers sink to 0-2-0 overall.

The home side established a 1-0 edge in the 34th minute. Senior Kelly Couite (West Bridgewater, Mass.) netted her first goal of the season, finding the back of the net with a left-footed shot from inside the box after a corner kick service by Alexis Schmidt (North Smithfield, R.I.).

Eastern Nazarene clung to a 1-0 advantage at the midway point of the match after outshooting Mass. Maritime 11-4 in the first frame.

The Lions doubled their advantage to 2-0 in the 57th minute as Couite lasered a left-footed shot into the cage for her second marker of the game. Rookie Rachel Bourk (Barrington, R.I.) recorded her first career assist on the play.

The hosts struck for the third time in the contest in the just seconds later as Couite deposited her third score of the night. Schmidt threaded a pass through the visitors' backline and Couite dribbled around the goalkeeper before rolling the ball into an open net.

Eastern Nazarene tacked on its fourth tally of the game in the 69th minute. Rookie Stephanie MacFarland (Quincy, Mass.) notched her first collegiate goal as Schmidt dished her third assist of the match.

The Lions widened the margin to 5-0 in the 88th minute. Diamond Best (Danvers, Mass.) collected her first collegiate tally and Schmidt picked up her fourth helper of the contest.

Mass. Maritime got on the board in the final seconds of the game as Madison Taylor scored her first goal of the season just before the horn.

The home team manufactured 22 shots on the evening while the Buccaneers finished with 10 attempts.

Senior Kyera Bryant (New Haven, Conn.) registered four saves in her first career appearance between the pipes for the Lions.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene visits Wheelock for a non-conference bout September 9.