Benedict's Hat Trick Leads MNU

After a week of disappointing results, the Pioneers found their finishing form and scored a glut of beautifully worked goals. A Hannah Benedict hat trick laid the groundwork for a six-goal team effort from MNU leading to their first win in four games.
 
The Pioneers were stuck in a rut. Over the course of seven days they surrendered a pair of two-goal leads which finished in draws against Concordia and Columbia College respectively, and lost a lightning-delayed, rain-soaked match to Embry-Riddle. The women of MNU soccer knew they needed a win and were refusing to accept anything but victory when they faced The Master's College Mustangs. From the warm-up to the last kick of the ball, every single athlete on the Pioneers squad were united in a passionate and committed spirit.
 
Among a galaxy of Pioneers stars, on this night Hannah Benedict burned brightest. All night she harried the Mustangs' defense with blistering runs down the left flank. After a few muted attempts on goal, Benedict eventually opened the scoring with a speedy run into the box, and a shot the hit the roof of the net. Merely five minutes later, Denise Dantzler, being sent through by Taryn McClendon, deftly maneuvered and fired from just inside the box sending her shot top corner out of the reach of the sprawling goalkeeper.
 
Spirits were high amongst the Pioneers players and fans that evening. Every effort from the MNU ladies on the field was met with cheers and admonishments from the supportive Pioneers bench. This did not look like a team struggling with form, but a squad of sisters enjoying a game of soccer on a fine evening in Prescott, Arizona.
 
Two minutes after Danztler's rocket, the Pioneers extended their lead to three as Benedict once again blazed past the Mustangs' defense, notching her second of the night. The Mustangs responded with a quick-fire shot off the post and in from Lynnae George. The Pioneers would head to the locker with another two-goal lead hanging in the balance.
 
After a hard-fought opening twenty-five minutes of the second half, Hannah Benedict capped off her hat trick with yet another run and finish into the box. The Pioneers were sitting pretty, but refused to rest on their comfy lead and kept attacking the Mustangs' goal. With another run into the box, Hannah Benedict drew a penalty which Taryn McClendon finished with great poise.
 
Everything seemed to be going the Pioneers way, and when you're on fire, it seems like everything will go in. A slow rolling clearance from the Mustangs' box was met by right back Breanna FitzGerald who struck a cannon ball to give the Pioneers their sixth goal.
 
The Mustangs, as a testament to their fight and character, never gave up and kept fighting for every ball. Their tenacity was rewarded with a penalty late in the second half which was dispatched by Michaela Rickard offering some consolation on a tough evening. 
 
At the final whistle, the Pioneers celebrated their return to winning ways, as every single eligible player from the squad contributed to the victory. After the customary handshakes, the Pioneers were invited to the center circle for a post-match prayer. The Pioneers and Mustangs stood interspersed, hand-in-hand, the victors and the vanquished. Much to the credit of the Mustangs head coach, after suffering a tough loss, he praised every player on each team for great spirit and effort showing tremendous class in defeat.

MNU is 2-1-2. The next game is Saturday at home vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan (0-1) at 1:00.