COLUMBUS – The Capital University women's soccer team dominated in a 5-0 win over Marietta on Tuesday afternoon, improving to 4-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Capital's first half was jump started by senior Hilary Ells, who scored four goals in the opening frame, giving the Crusaders a commanding 4-0 advantage at the half.

In addition, the Crusaders managed to unload 17 shots, 12 of them on goal, in the first half.

As the second half unfolded, the Crusaders unveiled a fresh set of 11 players on the field, who added to the team's lead in the 85^th minute of play, as freshman Jackie Kelly put the finishing touches, from just outside the box, on an assist by senior Alyssa Goodnight.

"In the second half, I thought a couple of the players who came in did very well for themselves," said head coach Chris Kouns. "Madison (Palmer) really did a good job showing for the ball and playing short connecting balls to help us get forward."

In total, Capital manufactured 13 shots on goal out of a total of 22 shots.

"We had some individuals step forward today and turn up their sleeves to work on the little things," Kouns said. "That should benefit us in the coming week."

Leading the way for the Crusaders was Ells, recording four goals on the afternoon, the most scored in a Capital women's soccer match since Joey Hayes did so against Bluffton in 1999. Ells now sits atop the Crusaders list this season in both points (24) and goals (12).

"Obviously Hilary Ells really turned up her work rate today and that made the difference for us in the final third," Kouns said. "If she brings that work rate on a consistent basis down the stretch, we will be able to make a good run in the OAC Tournament."

For Kelly, her late second half goal was the first for her on the year, while freshman Claire Quinn picked up one assist on Ells' first goal.

"Jackie (Kelly) took a step forward in terms of her confidence today and her ability to come forward in the second half," Kouns said. "That is just what we will need moving forward in more competitive games."

Freshman Becca Cartmill also chipped in two assists on a pair of Ells' goals in the first half, while Goodnight tallied her first assist of the year.

"I thought that Becca (Cartmill) did a good job of working hard to make things happen in the final third," Kouns said. "Her runs off the ball and underneath to get possession will certainly help us become more dangerous in our tournament run." 

Kouns also noted that playing four OAC games in a span of seven days has certainly forced the Crusaders focus on executing the little things in games to come.

"Although we did make individual strides today we would have liked to have taken more strides forward as an entire unit," Kouns said. "I understand the three games we just played in five days that we still may have some tired legs, but, you hate to not see a team bear down on the little things that they can improve on in a game like this. Hopefully, as a team, we got enough from today to prepare us for a fierce conference opponent coming in here on Saturday."

With the victory, Capital (11-4-1, 4-2 OAC) now turns its attention to hosting second place Baldwin Wallace on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.