Hoffman's hat trick gets Hedgesville win

October 19, 2005|b CURT HORNBECKER / Staff Correspondent

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. - Jen Hoffman wasn't merely thrilled Tuesday night, she was downright giddy.

And she had plenty of reasons to be.

Not only did the Hedgesville senior record a hat trick while sparking her team to a 5-1 victory over Jefferson in the Region 2, Section 4 soccer quarterfinals, but she established a school record for most goals in a career to boot.

"(It felt) awesome," said the Eagles forward. "Winning the game meant more than achieving a record. But if I can do both in the same game, why not?"

Hoffman's mark of 83 career goals eclipses Leslie Kirk's record of 82 set last year. Hoffman also holds the record for most goals in a season with 38, set last year.

"I think Jen Hoffman is probably the best player in this area," said Eagles coach Sonny Tippett. "When she turns on her A-game, nobody can keep up with her."

Hoffman and Erin Breen got the 10th-ranked Eagles off to a quick start with a goal apiece within the first 10 minutes, but Jefferson wasn't about to roll over.

Cougars freshman Jenny Perry made it 2-1 in the 38th minute when she rebounded her own shot and sailed it past Eagles keeper Alicia Hess.

But Breen pushed the lead to 3-1 in the 48th minute, and Hoffman made it 4-1 just 11 minutes later she headed Alex Baker's corner kick into the Jefferson net.

"I definitely didn't feel comfortable with a two-goal lead," said Hoffman. "When we went up 4-1, I started feeling a lot more confident."

Hoffman completed the hat trick in the 69th minute when she dribbled past a host of Cougars and pushed a shot into the right side of the goal.

"I thought we had good intensity, especially in the second half," said Jefferson coach Harold Bache. "The thing that hurt us was their team speed. We didn't match up well with that. We were not winning the ball anywhere."

Hedgesville advances to the semifinals against Martinsburg.

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