UNION, N.J. (10/5/13) – Senior Stephanie Soares of the Kean University field hockey team scored a natural hat trick in the final 10 minutes of the Cougars' 6-0 win over Ramapo College on Saturday. Kean outshot the Roadrunners 46-0 in the contest.

In the first half, senior defender Julie Knodt put on a clinic on how to be involved on the attack despite playing on the back line. The point person on penalty corners, she received the initial offering from Soares and bombed the ball hard toward the left post for the first goal of the game at 4:01.

Later on another first half corner, Soares sent the ball to Korri Thompson on the right side. Thompson found a streaking Knodt open in the slot and Knodt (pictured left) one-timed the ball into the open net for her second goal of the afternoon and seventh of the season.

In the second half, another senior defender – Stephanie Rios – got in on the action and scored her first collegiate goal on a tip-in from a penalty corner assisted by Thompson.

With the score 3-0, Soares converted a penalty stroke for her first goal. Less than a minute later, Soares re-directed a shot by Marissa Robinson into the cage for a 5-0 lead. Finally in the 68th minute, Thompson fired a shot that Soares was able to tip in to complete the natural hat trick and make the final score 6-0.

It was an easy day at the office for Kean goalkeeper Katie DiCarlo, who earned her seventh shutout of the season without facing a shot. Soares finished with seven points (3 goals, 1 assist), Knodt had four (2G), Thompson had three (3A), Rios (pictured right) had two (1G) and Robinson had one (1A).

With their eighth overall shutout, Kean has equaled the school-record for clean slates in a season.

Kean is now 12-1 on the year and 2-1 in the NJAC. Ramapo is 0-10 and 0-2 in the conference.

The Cougars will travel to Keystone College on Tuesday evening for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Giants.