Lions roll to season opening victory

Washington, D.C. - Hazleton turned in a dominant effort on Tuesday as they opened the fourth season in program history with a 9-0 win at Trinity Washington University. Senior Katie Oldziejewski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) notched the game winning goal just 23 seconds into the game and proceeded to tally her sixth career hat trick while sophomore Emma Wyllie racked up a career high four tallies in the blowout win. 

With limited numbers, Hazleton still managed to keep up the energy to control the tempo for virtually the entire game. Head coach Tyler Wyllie credits the defensive effort for much of the scoring, pointing to key turnovers in the Trinity backfield forced by senior Ariel Rowlands (Dorrance, Pa.) and quality clearances by senior Meghann Principe (Lake Harmony, Pa.) on Hazleton's side of the field. That effort allowed the potent Lady Lion offense to keep their foot on the gas following the early score by Oldziejewski. Emma Wyllie tacked on a goal in the 26th minute to extend the lead to 2-0 and in the final five minutes of the half, Hazleton's scoring duo tacked on two more goals to push the lead to 4-0 at the break. 

The Lions were far from finished in this one and poured on the offense in the second half. Excellent passing from the Lady Lion midfield led to a constant barrage of shots on target resulting in a pair of goals by senior Brean Fetterman (Mountain Top, Pa.) and two more from Wyllie near the conclusion of play. Overall, Hazleton would out-shoot Trinity by a whopping total of 35-5 including 20 shots on goal. 

Freshman Roxxy Dacosta (Bronx, Ny.) faced just two shots on goal from the Trinity offense, making stops on both occasions to earn the shutout win in the net. 

Hazleton couldn't ask for a more positive start to the season and will get a taste of conference play on Thursday night when the Lions host Penn State Schuylkill in a non-league contest. Kickoff for the Lions' home opener is set for 7:00 p.m on Thursday night at the Hazleton campus.