Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg's women's soccer team cruised to a 5-0 victory over visiting St. Mary's (Md.) Wednesday afternoon behind a hat trick from senior forward Catlin Mertens (Succasunna, N.J.).

It was Mertens' first-career hat trick, and the senior now leads the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with eight goals this season.

Senior forward Hannah Olds (Wilmington, N.C.) added the 11th-ranked Hornets' other two goals in the rout, both of which were assisted by senior midfielder Kennedy Jakubek (Leesburg, Va.).

The Hornets' defense didn't allow a shot in the match.

THE RUNDOWN

Final: No. 11 Lynchburg 5, St. Mary's (Md.) 0

Records: No. 11 Lynchburg 6-1, St. Mary's (Md.) 3-4

Venue: Shellenberger Field, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mertens put the Hornets on the board in the 21st minute, playing the ball forward and beating the defense to finish past the keeper.

• Lynchburg made it 2-0 10 minutes later when Olds chased down Jakubek's and scored just in front of the goal. Mertens scored again in the 33rd minute, this time assisted by junior midfielder Madalyn Amos (Fredericksburg, Va.), as Lynchburg entered halftime with a 3-0 advantage.

• Jakubek and Olds linked up again on a nearly identical play for Lynchburg's fourth goal in the 54th minute. The Hornets struck quickly again as Mertens scored unassisted in the 56th.

LOOKING AHEAD

Lynchburg will open up its Old Dominion Athletic Conference schedule Saturday, Sept. 22 with a trip across town to Randolph. The match begins at 3 p.m.

--LYN--