Chicago - The Toledo women's soccer team (2-1-1) defeated the University of Illinois at Chicago (0-4-0) 6-1 today in the team's final match of the weekend. Senior captain Hannah Scafaria scored a hat trick, and a trio of Rockets recorded their first goals of the season.
                                                     
With today's hat trick, Scafaria has now registered five goals on the year.
 
"It feels good to get a win," Scafaria said. "I'm happy we got two wins this weekend heading into our home-opener and senior day. I'm glad I could get the job done for my team today."
 
"Right away she just started off strong and built on her performance from Friday against Valpo," head coach TJ Buchholz said. "She really put the team on her back and ignited us from the start. To see her get three goals was awesome. It's not an easy thing to do in college soccer so I'm very proud of her."
 
Toledo's other three goals came from senior Kelsey Kraft, sophomore Sophia Lewis, and freshman Tatiana Woodworth.
 
"Through four games on the road we have one loss; that's pretty impressive,"  Buchholz said. "It's not easy considering that we played two days ago, and now you have to go back and play again when it's 90 degree weather and hot. Some teams in this environment go halfway through the motions, but our team was very committed from the start of warmups. We just stayed on the accelerator and played our game, and I think that showed."
 
How it happened:
The Rockets got on the board in the first five minutes thanks to Scafaria. The senior ran in low, collected the ball to the left of UIC goalkeeper Tara Khayam, faked her out, then shot the ball into the empty net to put UT up 1-0.
 
Toledo kept the pressure on and 10 minutes later Scafaria registered her second of the day. The captain took a shot while in close to the net. Khayam made a lunge to stop the shot but it slid through her fingers and continued into net to Toledo up, 2-0.
 
The 18th minute saw Lewis get on the board. The freshman curled a kick from 15-yards out that flew seamlessly to the right of Khayam, making the score 3-0 Rockets.
 
The Flames re-centered following Toledo's third goal and forced the attack the opposite way. UIC scored their lone goal of the day in the 25th minute thanks to Tamae Douglas. Douglas played a header from Rebeca Pallo near the top of the 18-yard box that stranded sophomore goalkeeper Madison Perrin on her goal line.
 
The Rockets responded in the 32nd minute thanks to Kraft. Kraft fought her way to the middle of the 18-yard box and headed down a cross from freshman Elbony Rodriguez that made the score 4-1, closing out the first half.
 
Toledo came out hot in the second but it did not show up on the scoreboard right away. Sophomore Claire Cahalan registered a shot in the 48th minute that was caught by Khayam. Twenty seconds later, UT won back to back corners but the chances were cleared away by the Flames' defense.
 
The 55th minute saw Scafaria secure the hat trick with a run-in that mirrored her first goal. The point put Toledo up 5-1.
 
Chances were few from both sides in the remaining minutes of the contest. Kraft and Lewis each put shots on goal in the 62nd and 66th minutes though, but Khayam caught both chances.
 
Toledo's final goal of the day came in the 70th minute from Woodworth. Kraft slid the forward a through ball from center midfield, and the freshman easily placed it right of Khayam, closing out the win.
 
Up Next
Toledo returns to Scott Park for its home-opener vs.  IUPUI at 1:00 p.m.on Sunday, Sept. 2. The Rockets will celebrate Senior Day before kickoff, honoring their senior class.