LaDuke Gets Another Hat Trick in 5-1 Victory

Freshman Danielle LaDuke scored three goals in a 5-1 victory Sunday at Arkansas State, her third straight hat trick to push her season total to 11 goals, just two shy of the school record. (MT)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Freshman Danielle LaDuke tallied her third straight hat trick as the Middle Tennessee soccer team won its third straight match of the season, defeating Arkansas State, 5-1, in Jonesboro, Ark., Sunday afternoon.

LaDuke netted goals in the 43rd, 64th and 75th minute of action, as the Blue Raiders overcame and early 1-0 deficit to win their second straight conference match. Sunday's victory was the third win in a row this season away from home for the Blue Raiders (6-4, 2-1 SBC) and head coach Scott Ginn, setting a new school record for consecutive road victories.

The homestanding Indians (2-9, 0-4) took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute when Rachael Reese scored her third goal of the season on an assist from Sheri Riser. But that would be all MT goalie Emily Shrum would allow, as the sophomore had one save in each half in earning her sixth victory of the season.

MT freshman Laura Miguez knotted the score at one in the 26th minute on an unassisted goal, her second of the year. LaDuke then gave the Blue Raiders the lead for good with her first goal of the day, also unassisted, on a long breakaway.

A pair of sophomores hooked up for the next Blue Raider score, with Jenny Cox feeding Emily Carter in the 61st minute for Carter's fourth goal of the year. Miguez assisted on LaDuke's second goal of the day in the 64th minute, and Carter handed out her third assist of the campaign on LaDuke's final goal of the day in the 75th minute of play.

The Blue Raiders dominated the match in the second half, taking 15 shots to ASU's four, and also taking six corner kicks to none for the Indians.

"We played well today and got another victory. We started off a little slow, but it was good to see us overcome the early deficit and play well in the second half," Ginn said. "Our freshmen have really stepped up, and right now our entire team is playing well and just need to keep that going."

MT returns home October 12 & 14, entertaining Denver and North Texas on Friday and Sunday. Friday's match against Denver starts at 4 p.m. at the Blue Raider Soccer Field, while Sunday's kickoff is set for 1 p.m. versus North Texas.