Cox’s hat trick highlights Jags’ 100th program win

The UHV women's soccer team knew it needed a good result on Saturday and got one.

Five different Jaguars combined to score eight goals, including a hat-trick from freshman Kaydee Cox, on their way to an 8-1 rout of Huston-Tillotson in Red River Athletic Conference play.

It was the 100^th win in the 14-year history of the women's program, all under head coach Adrian Rigby.

"I've been fortunate to be a part of it from the beginning in 2010," Rigby said. "I've had great staff throughout the years and great players, and they make it easy to get those wins. There's a lot of memories in those wins and today was a good one to remember. A lot of hard work from players and staff went into that."

The eight goals were a season-high and are the second-most in program history. The win also snapped a three-match winless stretch for the Jaguars (4-2-3, 2-1-1).

Cox provided what proved to be the game-winner with the first of her three goals in the 27^th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock. Senior Katerin Morales scored the opening goal in the third minute before the Rams (0-7-0, 0-4-0) leveled the match in the 24^th minute.

The Lindale native Cox was happy to have been the spark to a seven-unanswered-goal run for the Jaguars. She also scored in the 56^th and 67^th minutes, and provided an assist.

"After they got that goal, I think we collectively realized we were playing too casual," Cox said. "We had to turn it up because, if you let them creep up like that, you'll be on your heels. It made us realize we have to be intentional with everything – every pass, every long ball. There has to be a purpose. It really switched us on and I'm really proud of us for that."

Fellow freshman Trine Stenderup-Jorgensen also bagged a multi-goal performance with her first two career goals. The Danish defender scored off a corner kick in the 33^rd minute before adding a second in the 55^th minute with a superb free kick.

She also provided an assist on Morales' goal along with senior Estelle Flanagan.

"(Kaydee's) strong. She's determined to score goals and has asked a lot of questions in training," Rigby said, noting Cox has applied what she's learned in training. "And Trine's a freshman as well. She contributed a nice free kick goal today. Both of them are full of confidence."

In addition to Stenderup-Jorgensen's first career goal, Nikole Stroman also netted the first goal of her career in the 89^th minute. Kaitlyn Kongdara scored her second goal of the season, as well.

The Jaguars will face Jarvis Christian on Monday in a resumption of Sept. 16's suspended game.