Tribunes dominant in win over Mercyhurst

NORTH EAST, Pennsylvania - Elin Eklund had a hat trick, Theoni Zerva added a goal and five assists, and the MCC women's soccer team took a big step toward the Region III title with a 9-0 win over Mercyhurst North East Saturday afternoon.

The game was the first of a home-and-home series that will decide the regional championship. The Tribunes host Mercyhurst on Oct. 28, and another win will give Monroe the title.

MCC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half. Emma Moulton and Roosa Ariyo scored four minutes apart, with both goals coming off Zerva passes. Zerva then found the back of the net herself, converting a direct kick for a three-goal advantage at the break.

Eklund then took over in the second half. The sophomore scored all three of her goals over the final 45 minutes and also assisted on a score from Jessica Hewitt. Hewitt later tallied her second goal, and Moulton did as well as the Tribunes wrapped up a dominant performance.

Kirsten Lane did not have to face a shot in registering the shutout in goal for Monroe. Bayley Kralik and Courtney Hall added assists on the game.