Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg's women's soccer team ran its win streak to five Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 victory over crosstown rival Randolph.  

Senior forward Caitlin Mertens (Succasunna, N.J.) secured her second-straight hat trick for the 11th-ranked Hornets and also added an assist. Mertens was the first player to notch back-to-back hat tricks for Lynchburg since Angela Bosco accomplished that feat during the Hornets' 2014 national championship season.

Senior forward Hannah Olds (Wilmington, N.C.), senior defender Katie Waring (Chester, Va), and junior midfielder Taylor Stevens (Clayton, N.C.) also scored for Lynchburg. Meanwhile, the defense posted its fourth-consecutive shutout.

The Hornets remained unbeaten in the all-time series dating back to the teams' first meeting in 1987.

THE RUNDOWN

Final: No. 11 Lynchburg 6, Randolph 0

Records: No. 11 Lynchburg (7-1, 1-0 ODAC), Randolph (4-1, 0-1 ODAC)

Venue: WildCat Stadium, Randolph College, Lynchburg, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Hornets took an early lead in the first half with a goal from Mertens assisted by senior midfielder Kennedy Jakubek (Leesburg, Va.) at the 12-minute mark. Lynchburg held the 1-0 lead all the way to halftime.

• Just minutes into the second half, Lynchburg scored back-to-back goals. Olds, assisted by Mertens, started the barrage, and Mertens scored Lynchburg's third goal on an assist by junior defender Natalya Rodriguez (Woodbridge, Va.).

• Waring scored a goal after a corner kick from freshman midfielder Taylor Smith (Chesapeake, Va.), giving the Hornets a 4-0 lead in the 70th minute.

• Mertens collected her third goal of the night, unassisted, in the 74th minute. Lynchburg made it 6-0 with a final goal from Stevens 10 minutes later.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Hornets will be back home to face No. 10 Christopher Newport in non-conference action Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. on Shellenberger Field.

--LYN--