Baylor netted its third straight win of the season as they shut out East Hamilton, 3-0, to go undefeated on the young season.
“I am glad she is on our team so that we don’t have to defend her,” said Lady Red Raiders' head coach Curtis Blair about striker Jada Cooper. “She is as fast as lightning a getting better every year.”
Cooper, a junior striker for the Red Raiders, displayed her talents against the Lady Hurricanes with a hat trick. Overcoming a stagnant first half, the Lady Raiders would create breathing room and take the lead in the 49th minute behind the leg of Cooper.
With the second half underway, Baylor exploited the eased East Hamilton defense. Cooper, after receiving a throw in, dribbled towards the center of the field and released a bender of a kick towards the goal. The ball curved from top-right corner to the middle of the net—too much movement for the keeper to handle.
The goal was all that was needed to jumpstart the Baylor attack. The team transitioned from a back-and-forth tug of war to living in the upper third of Lady cane’s side of the field.
Cooper would seize the momentum following her goal. As play resumed, she fought tooth and nail for her next attempt. As she collided with East Hamilton defenders, Cooper’s run would come to a halt. A crashing Lady Cane goalkeeper led to a pileup of defenders and the lone striker. However, with the ball squirming out of the pile, Cooper rose to her feet and tapped the ball in.
Midway through the second half, the Lady Red Raiders had themselves a two-goal cushion. For Cooper, a hat trick would be the cherry on top of the win. Within the final five minute of play, she would award herself that feat. Shuffling within the box, Cooper would receive a cross and strike the ball before the goalkeeper could react, sealing the victory over the home standing Lady Hurricanes.
Baylor travels north on Friday to compete in the Meet Me in the Middle soccer tournament in Murfreesboro, Tennessee this weekend. There, they will square off against the Beech Buccaneers (1-0) and the Assumption Rockets (0-0). As for East Hamilton, the Hurricanes fall to 0-2 early on the season, but hope to avenge the early losses as they host the Sequoyah Chiefs on Thursday, August 18.
Game Summary
BAYLOR 0 3 — 3
EAST HAMILTON 0 0 — 0
Goals: Baylor (3) Jada Cooper; East Hamilton (0).