Tramicka James scored three first-half goals to lead the
Tusculum College Women's soccer team to a 4-0 upset of
eighth-ranked Saint Leo University at the Georgia College Bobcat
Shootout Friday afternoon.
James registered her fourth career hat trick with goals in the
14th, 21st and 41st minute for the Pioneers (3-1-0), who defeated
their highest-ranked opponent since a 2-1 victory over
seventh-ranked Columbus State on Sept. 12, 2008.
Kim Brown added a goal and an assist for the Pioneers, who outshot
the Lions (1-2-0) by a 14-12 margin in the victory. Brown's goal
came in the 76th minute on a breakaway to give Tusculum a 4-0
advantage.
James opened the scoring at 13:20 as she took a cross from Brown
and went top right corner. At 20:01, her deep shot from outside the
box got past Saint Leo keeper Abby Evans and gave the Pioneers a
2-0 lead. James finished off the hat trick at 40:08 by directing a
cross from Katie Capel to the low left.
After taking 11 shots in the first half, the Pioneers backed off a
bit in the second half and took just three shots at the Lions' net.
Saint Leo took five of its 12 shots in the second half but was
unable to beat Pioneer keeper Marissa Williams, who finished with
six shots in her first solo shutout of the season. Evans made four
stops for the Lions.
The Pioneers will return to action Sunday morning at 10 a.m.
against Nova Southeastern on the final day of the Bobcat Shootout.
The Sharks defeated the host Bobcats 1-0 in overtime Friday
night.