By Scott DeWeerd, '15

Caroline Eagan started her junior campaign with a bang in Friday night's season opener for the Albion College women's soccer team, notching her first career hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over North Park University. Sophomore forward Domenique Sarnecky and sophomore midfielder Taylor Shrader also got in on the action adding one goal each.

Amanda Quasunella and the Albion College defense suffocated the Vikings throughout the afternoon allowing just three shots on goal while the midfielders dominated the time of possession.

"We spent the whole preseason working on winning the battles and races," second year coach Eric Scott said. "It's our goal to control the ball and win the 50/50 battles."

Freshman Jenna Urso and Sarnecky, former high school teammates at Ladywood, hooked up for the first goal 27 minutes into the first half.

"Domenique and Jenna already had an existing relationship coming in," said Scott. "So we knew they already had some chemistry together, and that has really helped Jenna make the transition to the college game."

In response to the goal, North Park brought in fresh legs and dialed up the intensity. But Eagan found the back of the net less than 10 minutes later giving the Britons a 2-0 cushion that they would carry into halftime.

Less than 15 minutes into the second half Eagan was at it again, this time making a brilliant solo play to force a turnover deep inside North Park territory before splitting the defenders and putting a rocket past the goalie's outstretched arms. Less than 25 seconds later, she struck for her third goal of the night, extending Albion's lead to 4-0.

"She's done a great job being a leader off the field," Scott said about Eagan. "She used to be a little quiet but she's starting to break out of her shell. Now she has a chance to be a leader on the field."

Annika Nyquist scored the lone goal for the Vikings.

The Albion women's soccer team returns to the field tomorrow as they host a 1 o'clock contest against Alverno College.