September 4, 2002

Novosel, Tilley collect hat tricks in season-opening win

GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Junior forward Meg Tilley (Columbia, Md./Hammond) and sophomore Michelle Novosel (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) each fired in three goals as the Grove City College women's soccer team rolled past visiting La Roche, 8-1, at College Field Wednesday afternoon in the Lady Wolverines' opener.

Novosel started the game's scoring five minutes into the match while Tilley scored nine minutes later off a Novosel assist. Novosel extended Grove City's lead to 3-0 in the 20th minute after being assisted by Autumn Hubbard (Nampa, Idaho/Nampa Christian) and Diane Metzger (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin).

Novosel was credited with her third goal of the half after an "own goal" by La Roche (1-1-1), giving the Lady Wolverines a 4-1 lead at the intermission. Junior Danielle Balliet (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) then scored in the 47th minute before Tilley rang up goals in the 55th and 57th minutes. Freshman Denna Steltzer (Geneseo, N.Y./Geneseo) capped the scoring with her first career goal at the 78-minute mark.

Hubbard, Novosel and senior Karen Reefer (Butler, Pa./Slippery Rock) (pictured right) each had a pair of assists while Metzger, sophomore Leah Partridge (Newport, Vt./United Christian) and junior Lindsey Cuffe (Columbia Falls, Mont./Columbia Falls) were credited with assists. In goal, senior Katy Turman (Abington, Pa./Abington) made three saves while freshman Lindsey Thompson (Woodstown, N.J./Woodstown) did not face a shot in the final 33 minutes for Grove City (1-0).

The eight goals is the most scored by Grove City since a 9-0 win over Thiel Oct. 7, 2000. The game was also Grove City's first on the newly-reconfigured College Field. 

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