Pena records hat trick in GSU win

GRAMBLING, Louisiana | Kailey Pena scored two goals in the first half and notched a goal in the second half to finish with a hat trick as the Grambling State University women's soccer team blanked Texas A&M-Texarkana, 3-0, in a game called due to darkness on Sunday evening at the GSU Soccer Complex.

Pena opened the scoring in the 29th minute as Jordyn King and Sarah Dunbar assisted on the goal to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 advantage.

Two minutes later, Jasmine Smith's cross from the left side of the penalty area found a streaking Pena inside the six-yard box as she notched the second goal of the game to give Grambling State a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Tigers (3-6) put the game away in the 67th minute when Alyssa Ozuna and Smith assisted on Pena's final goal of the night to give Grambling State a 3-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

Turning Point
Grambling State dominated play in the first 30 minutes of the match and finally broke the 0-0 tie with a string of goals within a two-minute stretch.

Pena's first goal came in the 29th minute and wrapped up the first-half scoring in the 31st minute with her second of the night.

Inside the Numbers
> Rita Siaha started in the net for the Lady Tigers and played the first 45 minutes as she recorded one save.
> Hanna Johnson played the final 36:36 in goal for GSU and did not register a save.
> Tinotenda Charuma finished with four saves in 81:36 minutes of action for Texas A&M-Texarkana.
> Grambling State tallied 18 shots, including seven on frame.
> The Eagles registered two shots, with one on target.
> The Lady Tigers held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.
> There were 25 fouls and two yellow cards.

Up Next
Grambling State opens Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action on Friday against Alcorn State. The match is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the GSU Soccer Complex.

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