Caney's hat trick leads MCLA Women past Minn-Morris in season opener

North Adams, MA-Trailblazer freshman forward Natalie Caney burst onto the collegiate scene as she netted a hat trick in her debut in leading the MCLA Women's Soccer team past Minn-Morris 3-1 this afternoon in the season opener for both squads at Shewcraft Field.

Caney wasted little time in getting her career underway.  Just a minute into play, the freshman received a ball from Kelsey Marini just past midfield.  She weaved her way down the right wing before lofting a soft shot just over the head of Cougar keeper Morgan Delaney for a 1-0 MCLA lead.

Play would settle down for both sides over the next twenty minutes until Caney struck again.  This time, she corralled a loose ball about 25 yards out and ripped a shot that beat Delaney to the top left corner at the 24:56 mark to give the Trailblazers a 2-0 edge.  The score would remain that way until halftime.  MCLA held a slim 7-5 shot advantage over the Cougars.

Caney finished off the hat trick in the 62^nd minute.  She took a through ball from Jackie Dwyer and broke past the Cougar defense.  She was one on one with Delaney and beat her to the lower left corner for an insurmountable 3-0 advantage.

Minn-Morris would break the shutout in the 79^th minute.  Madeline Youakim corralled a loose ball in front of the Trailblazer net and beat Danielle Heinsohn to make it 3-1.  The Cougars would have a golden chance to pull within a goal when Youakim got by the defense in the 86^th minute, however her shot was just wide of the net.

Both teams had 11 shots in the contest.  Heinsohn went the distance for MCLA stopping five shots.  Delaney also stopped five for the Cougars.

The Trailblazers are back in action on Labor Day as they travel to Smith College.  Minn-Morris will travel over to Albany, NY tomorrow to battle Sage College.