Smith's hat trick leads Bees

Freshman Jessica Smith netted a hat trick to lead Byron-Bergen to a 4-0 girls soccer victory over Oakfield-Alabama in the final home game for nine seniors.

Fittingly, it was a senior who started the scoring in the eighth minute of the game after the Bees misfired on two open shots. The Hornets tried to clear the ball, but Stephanie Cunningham intercepted just above the box and arched a shot over the goalkeepers' head for the goal. Byron-Bergen dominated the rest of the first half, including a chance in the final fifteen seconds, but could not convert.

That would change in the second half when Katy Mullen picked off a goal kick and found Smith alone for a Bees 2-0 lead in the 49th minute. The two paired up again just two minutes later - this time intercepting a Hornets throw-in. Smith completed her hat trick in the 74th minute, giving her 25 goals on the season, which is just five goals short of the school record set by Leigh Vainio in 2000 and seventh this season in all of Section Five.

Taryn Mullen was tested just three times in the second half as she registered her seventh shutout of the season in goal. The Bees raised their record to 9-5-1 as they prepare for the start of the Sectional playoffs.

Seniors playing their final regular season home game were Alyson Capone, Cunningham, Chelsey Fackleman, Kristin Glazier, Kate List, Katelyn Wickson and Danyelle Worthington. Captain Brianna D'Errico was introduced before the game, but was unable to play this season due to a broken leg.