HANOVER, Ind. – Sophomore Beth Cook (Goshen, Ind.) paced the Panther offense as she netted a hat trick to help propel the Blue and Red to the impressive 6-0 season opening victory over Asbury.
 
Cook finished the contest with three goals on 12 shots. As a unit, the Panthers recorded 37 combined shots with 33 landing on frame.
 
The opening stanza saw the Panthers control play as Cook pressured frame. The sophomore fired a ball within the six-yard box just minutes into the contest that was saved by the Eagle keeper.
 
The assault on net continued as freshman Kenna Patterson (Bloomington, Ind.) navigated the Asbury backline for a shot that fell unsuccessful. However, the Panthers broke the scoreless tie at the 29-minute mark following a sophomore Kate Bettner (Noblesville, Ind.) free kick that connected with Patterson for the 1-0 advantage.
 
Cook made her way into the scores column minutes later as she took a pass from senior Ainsleigh Spaulding (Independence, Ky.) pushing the difference to 2-0.
 
The first half saw one final blow from the foot of junior Callen Johnson (Ashland, Ky.) who played a fantastic ball from senior Josie Dattilo (Montgomery, Ohio) who found freshman Emily Duffey (Cincinnati, Ohio), 3-0.
 
Hanover entered the intermission with 19 shots, 17 of which landed on frame.
 
Cook picked up her second strike of the contest just moments into the second half following a deflected ball in front of net allowing for a far post strike, 4-0. She completed the season opening hat trick at the 57-minute mark propelling HC to the demanding lead.
 
Junior Aidan Hiester (Seymour, Ind.) netted the game's final blow off an assist from sophomore Nora Ludwig (Cincinnati, Ohio) pushing HC to the commanding 6-0 victory.
 
The Panthers return to action on Saturday when they travel to Ohio Northern. Game time is set for 2:30 PM.