SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Riding sophomore Julia Lambert's second-career hat trick and a brace from newcomer Clare Barger, the No. 12 John Brown University women's soccer team struck for six first-half goals and completed a 6-1 win over Evangel (Mo.) on Tuesday evening, Sept. 10, at Coryell Field.
The Golden Eagles' (3-2-1) offense was on full display, easily setting a new season-high by outshooting the host Valor (1-2-1), 28-8. Lambert's offensive outburst – having a hand in all four goals to open the scoring – helped the visitors build a quick 4-0 lead by the 22nd minute of the match.
Lambert kicked off her natural brace by netting an Olimpico in the 11th minute from the left corner. Then, just six minutes later, off a turnover, sophomore Summer Holmes played a quick ball up to senior Lauren Walter, who played a pass across the box for an easy strike from Lambert.
In the 21st minute, Lambert shot from the top of the box and junior Aubrey Winter cleaned up the loose rebound, ballooning the lead to three.
Eight seconds later, Lambert unleashed a 30-yard rip that bent to the bottom right corner off a nice pass from freshman Caitlin Hilson.
Sophomore Clare Barger then completed the scoring for the visitors, including her first collegiate goal in the 38th minute. On the right flank, a gorgeous solo effort that saw her side-step a defender ended with Barger confidently dribbling into the Valor box all alone and ripping a shot to the left pocket of the goal.
Just before the intermission, Barger again made the Evangel side pay by finishing a play up the right side, courtesy of a pass from sophomore Addie Craig, giving JBU a commanding 6-0 lead.
Evangel's lone goal came in the 50th minute when forward McKenzie Calhoun found the back of the net off an assist from Anna Crain's corner service, breaking JBU's clean sheet bid. Junior Reagan Riley relieved freshman Sunnie Woodard at halftime, who made four saves on four chances in the first 45 minutes of action.
The Golden Eagles' defensive line limited Evangel to just two shots on goal in the second half.
Valor goalkeeper Rylee Clapp faced a barrage of shots, making eight saves in the first half before Sydney Hobson took over in the second frame. Hobson completed the match with five saves.
John Brown now finishes the non-conference slate with another pair of top-25 matchups, starting with No. 21 Oklahoma Wesleyan on Saturday night, Sept. 14, at the OKWU Soccer Complex in Bartlesville. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
JBU closes out non-conference play the following Saturday, Sept. 21, when No. 10 Columbia (Mo.) invades Alumni Field for a morning clash in Siloam Springs.
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