CHESTER, Pa. – Lexi Slusher notched her first career hat-trick, propelling the Widener University women's soccer team to a huge 3-1 MAC Commonwealth win over the Alvernia Golden Wolves on Tuesday night.

Highlights

• Kimmy Lyons assisted on two of Slusher's goals, setting her up perfectly on two set pieces.
• Bella Abrams had the helper on the first goal, giving her 10 points on the year.
• Alyssa Dionisio fired off four shots.
• Ashton Houbary made two saves.

How it happened
The Pride outshot the Golden Wolves 6-3 through the first half. Slusher and Dionisio narrowly missed scoring chances in the opening minute of action. Houbary stopped a shot. The teams went into the break even at zero.

The offensive intensity picked up in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Slusher hit a ball wide of the Golden Wolves net, prompting a goal kick. The keeper misplayed the kick, sending it directly to the head of Abrams. Abrams played a through ball for Slusher and the senior forward beat the goalie 1 v 1 for the first score of the night. Seven minutes later, Alvernia knotted the match.

A foul by an Alvernia player about 40 yards out forced a free kick for Lyons. The junior played a beautiful ball into the box, finding the head of Slusher to help Widener regain the lead. With three seconds remaining in regulation, WU capitalized on another free kick. This time Lyons and Slusher connected on a ball sent from the left side of the box, sealing the victory for the Blue and Gold.

Up next
Widener hosts Lebanon Valley on Saturday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m. for the final game of the regular season. It is senior day with a ceremony honoring the program's upperclassmen taking place before the match.