TURLOCK — Kirsten Coleman put together another personal highlight reel Sunday night as the senior forward netted her first career hat-trick to lead Stanislaus State over UC Santa Cruz, 4-0, in a women's soccer match Sunday night.
The Warriors beat the Banana Slugs for the fourth straight time in the series as they used the CCAA bye week to pick up a non-conference win to improve to 7-3-0 on the season.
This series was nearly discontinued as UC Santa Cruz was facing potential elimination of its athletics programs. Last spring, members of the Stan State women's soccer team wrote letters to UCSC in support and that gesture was appreciated as the Slugs brought the Warriors flowers on Sunday.
"We are so happy to have UC Santa Cruz as a partner to compete against. We were devastated when we heard the news about their program and just wanted to do our part to help," said head coach Gabriel Bolton.
Coleman, a senior from Modesto's Enochs High School, wasn't even sure if she could play on Sunday because of a fever.
"I woke up this morning not even sure if I was going to play," Coleman said. "I slept as much as I could until I can finally break my fever. I came out and was just going to put everything out there for my team."
After Mikayla Clifford put Stan State ahead 1-0 with a header goal in the 32nd minute, Coleman scored her first on the night eight seconds before the end of the half. After collecting a pass from Ashtyn Bracamonte, Clifford beat two defenders to center of the box, then shot it through four Slugs to make it 2-0 at the break.
It would take just 31 seconds into the second half for Coleman to score again. This time, from a touch by Jade Poon, Coleman toed a couple of UCSC defenders for a point-blank shot for the 3-0 score.
Coleman would cap-off her scoring, and the hat-trick night, with another beauty. Not letting up after a defender prevented her from getting a service down field, Coleman stole the ball and sent in the blast for the final count.
"She's been sick all week and even today she had a fever up to an hour before kickoff. What we saw tonight was pure heart," Bolton said.
Coleman now has 26 career goals, which is third best on the Warriors' all-time list. For the season, she ties Poon each with five scores.
Stanislaus State dominated both sides of the ball on the night and out-shot UC Santa Cruz 23-2, holding the Slugs to just one shot per half while forcing Athena Del Rosario to pick up six saves.
Morgan Cruce, who made her first start for the Warriors, had one save in goal.
"We had a great week of training and I think it really showed out there tonight. I was really happy with both the great effort and execution," Bolton said.
The Warriors resume their CCAA schedule, on the road, when they travel to Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino next weekend.
