HANOVER, Ind. – Behind a flurry of first half goals, the Hanover women's soccer team cruised to a 4-0 home victory over Spalding (Ky.) Wednesday evening.

After scoring just once in its first two matches of the season, the Panthers (2-1-0) recorded four goals in the opening 45 minutes of play Wednesday, including three times in the final 10 minutes of the opening half.

Sophomore Lizzie Matchett (Liberty Township, Ohio) gave HC a 1-0 lead when she scored her first collegiate goal in the 11th minute, ripping a shot into the upper-90 from close to 18 yards out. Junior Cassidy Evanson (Carmel, Ind.) earned the assist on the opening goal.

After a 28-minute stalemate, the Panthers tallied three goals in a five-minute span to push the lead to 4-0. Freshman Natalie Fausz (Alexandria, Ky.) kick started the scoring spurt by putting a shot close to the net, which ended up being deflected in by a Spalding (1-1-0) defender for an own goal.

Senior Daria Volker (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) added her first goal of the new season with a header off a corner kick in the 42nd minute, while junior Shannon Hawkins (Carmel, Ind.) launched a shot into goal from outside the 18-yard box 56 seconds later.

Picking up their first career assists on the final two goals were freshmen Mackenzie Sims (Camby, Ind.) and Abi Childers (Lafayette, Ind.).

Earning her first collegiate start in net, freshman Charlotte Verbanic (Columbus, Ind.) made four saves to pick up career clean sheet No. 1. Verbanic has yet to allow a goal in two appearances this season.

Despite not scoring in the second half, Hanover still held a 7-4 edge in shot attempts over the final 45 minutes. Overall, the Blue and Red enjoyed a 16-7 edge in shots, with 10 attempts coming on goal.

Junior Claire Stockwell (Burlington, Ky.) led the team with three shots attempts, while Fausz and senior Abby Shroyer (Zionsville, Ind.) each added multiple attempts as well.

Corner kicks were also in heavy favor of Hanover, with the squad finishing with an 8-1 advantage, including a 7-1 edge in the first half.

The Panthers will look for their third and fourth straight victories this weekend when they host Wittenberg (Ohio) and Augustana (Ill.). The back-to-back weekend slate kicks off against Wittenberg at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@hanover.edu