Eckert's Monster Day Leads to a Win for Delta

"The rematch between Jackson College and the Delta Lady Pioneers is one that has been highly anticipated since their 1-0 game back on September 1. This time, Delta got Jackson on their home field and looked to feed off the home field advantage to complete the sweep over the Jets. The temperature outside was hot and that played to the advantage of Delta and their team depth.

Nine minutes into the game Delta got on the board with a goal from Skylar Eckert who beat the keeper 1 v 1 after receiving a perfect through pass from Casey Allessie. This would be the start of a tremendous afternoon for Eckert and the Lady Pioneers.

Two minutes later, Lindsey Musser would once again get Delta on the board after a shot from Kaitlyn Viaene hit the cross bar hard and landed right in the lap of Musser who knocked down the shot extending the Delta lead to two goals. The third Delta goal also involved Musser this time on the passing end, as she sent a pass to the middle of the field where Eckert sent a rocket past the keeper to the near post for her second goal of the game.

Delta would take a 4-0 lead into the half after Audrey Niederstadt sent in a corner kick that went perfectly over the keeper into the far corner of the net. At halftime, Delta was determined to keep up their solid play and was prepared to remain strong on defense as the offense continued to work for scoring opportunities.

The offense wasted no time in the second half getting back in the scoring column when Eckert set up Allessie in the middle of the field with a nice cross and drove it past the keeper for the fifth goal of the game, just three minutes into the second half. Eckert would complete her hat trick when Allessie set her up with a nice pass. This was Eckert's first career College hat trick, which she added two assists too as well, completing one of the best stat lines the NJCAA will see all season.

"Our young forward Skylar Eckert had a monster game with three goals and two assists," Head Coach Paul Stenglein said after the game. "She is getting tougher for opponents to contain her and shut her down."

Jackson despite the deficit would continue to battle, even setting up some dangerous scoring chances, but were thwarted by Kalyn Breckenridge and later Hannah Bauer in net, combining for the team's fifth shutout of the season.

The seventh and final goal of the game came when Eckert drove the ball in deep and passed it to Taylor Farrand for the nice touch goal over the keeper. This game can prove to be a good momentum builder as they prepare for the remainder of the season.

"I am extremely proud of these young ladies and they played like a #6 nationally ranked team should play," Stenglein added. "I really think that our girls were able to see how good they can be when acting as a coordinated unit. If we continue to improve and grow as a team, I believe we can achieve one of our goals by qualifying for the National Tournament in New York this November."

Next up for the Lady Pioneers is a rematch with Ancilla College on September 27, where Delta looks to complete the season sweep after getting the 3-0 win earlier in the season.