Box Score JOHNSON, Vt. – University of Maine at Farmington senior Kayla Tuttle finished on three goals of her five shots on goal to literally finish off Johnson State College in a 3-0 North Atlantic Conference women's soccer victory, Saturday afternoon at Minaert Field.
The hat trick was the second of the season for Tuttle, who also netted three goals earlier this year in a 9-0 win over UMaine-Presque Isle. The senior midfielder has also charted six goals over her last three games played, and now has 11 goals on the season.
UMaine-Farmington improved to 7-6-2 overall and 6-1-0 in the North Atlantic Conference, matching the Beavers' conference win total of a year ago with two games remaining on the slate. The win also virtually assures Farmington, currently tied for second in the NAC with 18 points, of a home quarterfinal game in the upcoming NAC Tournament.
Johnson State fell to 6-8-0 overall with the loss, 3-5-0 in the NAC.
After a scoreless first half, Tuttle finally broke the scoring drought in the 60th minute with a blast from the top of the 18-yard box off a through ball from Alexandra Crocker.
Twenty minutes later, Tuttle struck again – this time beating Johnson State keeper Amber McCullock for an unassisted tally. Tuttle completed the trifecta in the 88th minute, beating McCullock with a shot to the lower left corner for the 3-0 final score. Freshman Bridget Humphrey, who played the ball to Tuttle for her third goal, was credited with an assist.
The Beavers dictated the pace of play throughout the day, dominating in shots, 36-2, and corner kicks, 8-1. Senior Beth Lebel started in goal for Farmington and made one stop; Amy Jones came on at halftime to finish out the game but was not required to make a save. McCullock charted 17 saves in the Badger goal in the loss.
UMaine-Farmington returns home to close out the 2013 regular season, starting with a game against Green Mountain College on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 12:00 p.m.
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