MORROW, Ga. – Courtney Crump recorded the program's first hat trick in nearly three years and Janae Aiken anchored an unforgiving defense with nine saves to help lead the UNC Pembroke women's soccer team to a 3-1 win over Clayton State on Saturday evening at Laker Field.
The triumph pushed UNCP's win streak out to four games, while also giving the Braves (4-3-0, 3-0-0 PBC) their first road victory over Clayton State since Oct. 25, 2003. The setback snapped a three-game series win streak for the Lakers (5-3-0, 1-1-0) who came into Saturday's matchup with four wins in their last five outings.
It was a career-best goal total for Crump who has scored all five of her goals this season over the last two games. Aiken turned in a season-best nine saves in the win as well. Maria Marti Bartis provided the lone goal for the hosts.
"We played so incredibly well tonight and I am very proud of this team," said UNCP head coach Lars Andersson. "After an 0-3 start, we've now won four straight and are at the top of the conference standings. It takes a lot of mental fortitude to have a start like that and get going again. Today is a result of what happens when you come together and play as a group. We got battered the first 15 minutes of the second half, but we stayed together and stuck to the game plan and it paid dividends."
Crump gave the Black & Gold the lead for good in the eighth minute when she broke loose on a breakaway down the far side of the field and punched a shot past Clayton State goalkeeper Charlotte McCormack. Just less than 21 minutes later (28:08), Crump would strike again to push the UNCP advantage out to 2-0. Marti Bartis would get the Lakers off the mark in the 34th minute to give the game a 2-1 score heading into the break.
Clayton State out-shot the visitors by a 12-5 count in the second half, but Crump completed her hat trick in the 66th minute (65:55) for the period's only score.
The Braves will be back in action again on Wednesday when they make the trip to Savannah, Ga., to lock horns with Armstrong State (4-2-1, 1-0-1) in a 3:30 p.m. contest at the Armstrong Soccer Field.
