Auwerda’s record hat trick helps Mt. Pleasant past Fairfield on the pitch

For Mt. Pleasant’s Charice Auwerda, Thursday nights Southeast Conference matchup with Fairfield ended up being a record breaker.

The Panthers hosted the Trojans in the pairs first Southeast Conference meeting of the season. When all was said and done, it ended up being a big night for Mt. Pleasant as the Panthers downed Fairfield 5-1.

History was made for Auwerda in the victory. With a hat trick highlighting the night, Auwerda is now the Panthers’ all time leading point scorer.

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For four years now, Auwerda has had her foot all over the field. Thursday she did it once again.

Around the 37 minute mark Auwerda scored back-to-back goals to give the Panthers a quick 2-0 lead and tie former teammate Elly Mannings’ points record.

In her freshman season, the now senior notched 13 goals and 20 assists to help Manning set the point record at 180 and now it’s Auwerda’s turn.

Entering the conference slate, Auwerda’s mark sat at 176 points before her two goals knotted up the race.

Despite soggy conditions slowing down the pace of play, Mt. Pleasant continued to press Fairfield as Tori Wilson notched herself a pair of goals at the 33rd and 32nd minutes to put the Panthers up 4-0.

The Trojans found points with 26 minutes remaining in the first half with Haleigh Strickland finding the back of the net. The goal from Strickland ended what was a six-year scoreless drought for Fairfield against Mt. Pleasant.

The first half ended with Mt. Pleasant up 4-1 and it would never lose it. Mt. Pleasant didn’t let up and it was Auwerda who found space.

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With the record in sight, Auwerda found an opening in the box and leaped through the air finishing off the hat trick with a header to give her a new point record of 182.

The Panthers improve to 3-0-1 on the season, while Fairfield moves to 1-1. Fairfield will look to get back in the win column on Monday against Fort Madison.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Washington on Monday.

The Panther boys picked up a Southeast Conference victory over the Trojans as well.

Samuel Schaapen, Jonah Zimmer and Brandon Veloz all scored goals for the Panthers in the win. Dylan White dished out two assists and Schaapen one as well.

Xachary LeBlanc finished with three saves for the Panthers.

Ian Richards scored both of Fairfield’s goals. Binh Truong and Minh Truong both notched assists as well.

Henry Swan had six saves as well.