Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Shannen Wacker's hat trick led Florida Gulf Coast University's women's soccer team to a 6-0 victory over Northern Kentucky University on Sunday afternoon at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

Wacker put FGCU (9-2-2 overall, 4-0-0 in the Atlantic Sun Conference) on the scoreboard first with her goal in the 32nd minute.  She shot the ball from the top of the goal box and found the lower right corner of the net past NKU goalie Stephanie Glass.

The Eagles, who are the two-time defending A-Sun regular-season and 2011 conference tournament champions, pressured the NKU defense from the beginning, holding a 9-1 advantage in shot attempts in the first half, but the Norse were able to hold strong in the first half.  NKU entered the half trailing 1-0.

After Ally Kasun extended the FGCU lead to 2-0 in the 49th minute, Wacker took a cross from Ashley Ciecielczyk and found the lower left corner of the net to stretch the Eagle lead to three just over a minute later.

Kayley Clay converted on a penalty kick to give FGCU a 4-0 lead in the 64th minute before Wacker secured the hat trick with her 10th goal of the season two minutes later.  Clay and Kasun were credited with assists on the play.

Kaitlin Parker's goal in the 76th minute accounted for the final margin of the game.

“We have to give credit to Florida Gulf Coast,” NKU head coach Bob Sheehan said.  “They have an excellent team, and they completely outplayed us in every aspect of the game.  They were the superior team today and are just a fantastic team overall.”

Kathryn Hale gave NKU, which fell to 4-8 overall and 1-3 in the A-Sun, its best scoring opportunity in the second half but a save by FGCU goalie Danielle LeRoy stopped the attack.

The Norse return home to host Kennesaw State on Oct. 5 at the NKU Soccer Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.  NKU will honor its six seniors next Sunday (Oct. 7) as the Norse host Mercer at noon.