PIKE CREEK, Del. - Led by a scoring hat trick by freshman Alex Smith and a sensational performance in goal by senior Kristin Degenhardt, the Goldey-Beacom College women's soccer team earned its first victory of the season, defeating visiting Bloomfield College, 6-2 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Sat. afternoon at Nancy Churchman Field.

GBC, who's six goals was the most scored in a conference game since Oct. 8, 2006, improved to 1-2 on the season (1-1 CACC) while the Deacons fell to 1-3 (0-1 CACC).

The Lightning struck early and often in the first half, as junior Kelly Willams' shot was deflected off BC goalkeeper Katrina Guevara, right to the feet of Alex Smith, who put home a shot from inside the box to give the hosts a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the game.

Bloomfield answered just under six minutes later as a foul on a Lightning defender trying to stop BC's Jocelyn Prescott on a breakaway resulted in a direct kick for the Deacons. Mikie Bradley took the kick and bent a shot past Degenhardt in the upper lefthand corner of the net to even the score at one apiece.

Later in the 26th minute, GBC freshman defender Danielle Scott had a run down the right side of the field and fired a shot on goal. Again, Guevara batted the ball away which resulted in another loose ball in the box, which GBC senior midfielder Marissa Valadares gathered, turned and fired a shot from seven yards out for the Lightning's second goal.
 
About six minutes later, a beautiful thru ball from Scott found the feet of Smith, who beat a few Deacon defenders and fired a shot past Guevara to put the Lightning up 3-1.

Williams added a goal on a pretty passing play from Smith and freshman Nicole Curry in the 37th minute to make it 4-1, and that is how the score would stay at intermission.

The Lightning took 23 of their 27 shots in the first 45 minutes, while Bloomfield took 10 of its 21 shots in the first half. The Deacons had a few more quality scoring opportunities on breakaways by Prescott and Christine Rutherford. But Degenhardt was up to the task both times, making diving saves while falling back on the rain-soaked Churchman field grass.

Prescott ultimately did score just a few minutes into the second stanza on a breakaway after a well-executed thru ball by Victoria Gemma.

Bloomfield stayed on the aggressive for most of the second half, out-shooting GBC 11-4 for the period, but it was GBC who would tag on two more goals to win comfortably, 6-2.

Smith scored her third goal of the afternoon in the 51st minute as she headed in a gorgeous cross from Williams. Valladares was also credited with an assist on the play.

Finally, sophomore Danielle Semenza, seeing her first action of the season, scored an unassisted goal on a breakway in the 68th minute.

GBC held a 27-21 shot advantage for the game while BC took more corners (9-7). Degenhardt finished with eight saves and two goals allowed in almost 81 minutes of work. Junior Alyssa Vetrano came on to finish the game for the Lightning.

The Lightning are off until Sept. 17 when they travel to Bronxville, N.Y. to take on conference foe Concordia at 12 p.m.