BOX SCORE

LIVONIA, Mich. (MadonnaCrusaders.com) - - Behind a hat trick from senior forward Jessica Austin (Livonia, Mich.) the Madonna University women's soccer team moved above the .500 mark in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play with a 3-0 win over visiting Indiana Tech on Saturday (Oct. 10) and Greenmead Field.

Austin scored all three of MU's goals with assists from junior Katie Kozlowski (Dearborn Heights, Mich.) on the first two and a helper from fellow senior Kaila Moore (Howell, Mich.) on the last. Austin's goals moved her into a tie for second place in the WHAC scoring race as the former Schoolcraft CC All-American now has eight scores to go along with two assists for 18 points on the season.

MU got on the board in the 18^th minute when Austin picked up a loose ball that came out of a collision between Kozlowski and an IIT defender. Austin took possession of the ball and beat Warrior keeper Mallory Xurvein low to the left for a 1-0 lead. That goal held up as the game winner - Austin's third of the season, moving her into the lead in loop play.

The Crusaders struck again in the 41^st minute when Kozlowski played a through ball to Austin who then went around Xurvein and tucked the ball inside the near post for a 2-0 lead.

Austin made it 3-0 in the 62^nd minute when Moore flicked the ball onto Austin who was just outside the 18-yard box and then beat Xurvein one on one for her first hat trick of the season and her second career three-goal match.

MU peppered the Tech net with shots most of the match, outshooting IIT 20-11 with the Crusaders holding a 12-2 edge in shots on goal. Sophomore net minder Chelsea Gregg (Livonia, Mich.) stopped both IIT shots she saw in picking up her second shutout and third straight win.

The Crusaders head out on the road, facing off with Aquinas in a 4pm match on Wednesday (Oct. 14) in Grand Rapids.