UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Capital University women's soccer team wrapped up their final road stint of the regular season on Saturday, spending the evening on the campus of John Carroll University. There must be something about playing in Cleveland that puts senior Avery Hart into another gear as she sent three goals into the back of the net to topple JCU by a score of 3-0. The scores are Hart's seventh, eighth, and ninth of the season and sets her total in the city of Cleveland to five after she scored two in the first game of the year at Case Western Reserve.

Capital keeps the top spot in the conference and hits double-digits overall with the win, sitting at 10-2-2 in all competitions and 6-0-1 in OAC play. It is the first 10-win season for the Comets since the 2019 season when the squad went 14-6.

John Carroll drops to 7-8-2 with a 3-4-0 record within the conference.


HOW IT HAPPENED
The night started with a wildly entertaining back-and-forth affair in the first half. Despite both teams getting plenty of chances with Capital firing off 10 shots and John Carroll getting off eight, neither side was truly able to get the best of the other. Even with an early goal by Capital, the half remained tight throughout. That goal came in just the 12th minute from the foot of leading scorer Avery Hart. Hart found herself coming up with a loose ball and firing from about 25 yards out, straight over the keeper's head and into the back of the net to give Cap the early lead. That would be the only score in the half as the teams headed to the dressing rooms with Capital leading 1-0.

The Comets came out with some fire in the second half, putting some early pressure on the Blue Streaks. After holding possession for much of the first 12 minutes of the half, the Comets again broke through to put another mark on the scoreboard. Once again the goal came courtesy of Hart and was a near mirror-image of her first. Hart again found herself in the center of the field and again about 25 yards from the net fired away with her right foot. This time the ball tucked itself into the upper right corner of the goal and out of reach of the keeper.

From then on the Comets settled into a conservative play style, holding possession for longer periods of time and focusing on staying strong in the back, only pushing forward when an opportune moment arose. Despite the slow pace of play, the Comets still had one more trick up their sleeves, a hat trick goal in the final moments for Hart! With just over a minute remaining, Hart found herself in space, streaking towards the goal. This time from inside the box, the senior striker sent the ball straight past the keeper and into the right portion of the net for number three on the day. With the game firmly in hand, the Comets played out the final 66 seconds to secure yet another valuable OAC win, 3-0.


HAT TRICK HART
With three goals in the game, Avery Hart records the first Capital hat trick in nearly three seasons. The last three-goal day was a double dose in the spring of 2021 when Madeline Woodruff and Lexi Snider both completed the feat in a 14-0 win over Muskingum.


THE NUMBERS
Capital sent a total of 21 shots at the goal, 10 of which found their mark.

Avery Hart's three goals came from an 11 shot performance in which she found the frame six times. The night marks a career-high for the Pickerington native in both shots taken and shots on goal.

Sophia Leonetti and Nicole Ogden tied for second in shooting, each taking two attempts.

Six Comets combined to make up the remainder of the CU chances. Lexi Snider, Lizzie Elliott, Taylor Marcum, Francesca Longano, Elle Pelletier, and Catherine Zugaro all had one go at the goal.

Lauren White got the start in goal for Capital. The senior keeper spent the full 90 in net, making five saves.


UP NEXT
The Comets will return for their final home stand of the season on Wednesday, October 26 in a match hosting Heidelberg. That game is set to kick off from Bernlohr Stadium at 7:00 p.m.