Lauk's Trio of Goals Takes Life out of Running Eagles

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Life Athletics 

MARIETTA, Ga. – Freshman Kaitlyn Lauk made her first women's soccer road game in a Reinhardt uniform a memorable one, as the forward from Atlanta etched her name in the scorebook three times in the Eagles' 5-1 win Wednesday night at Life (Ga.).
 
Reinhardt (1-1) notched its initial triumph of 2018, and got off to a fast start thanks to a 3-0 run during the first half of play.
 
"Very good win for our young team," head coach Andy Kaplan said. "We improved a great deal between our first game and this one… Key play of the game was freshman Caroline Johnson saving a penalty kick when the score was 3-1. Captains Adrien Merrilles and Jane Howell had strong games.
 
"It was great to see Kaitlyn Lauk get a hat trick."
 
Howell got her team on the board at the 3:26 mark after Merrilles – who also scored in the final minute of the half – found her with a nice assist for the opening goal of the match.
 
Sandwiched between those two netted shots was the first career tally from Lauk in the 18^th-minute.
 
The hosts would break the shutout nearly 13 minutes into the final half, but the momentum would be short-lived, as Lauk would pour in two late scores in a matter of 16 seconds.
 
Total shots were nearly even, but in Reinhardt's favor, at 18-16. The duo of Lauk and Merrilles combined for 14 shot attempts in the victory.
 
In net, Caroline Johnson got her first win as goalie after making 11 saves in 90 minutes of action.
 
Reinhardt now looks to get above .500 for the first time this season when the club begins a long homestand on Sept. 1 against Mobile (Ala.).
 
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Ken White Field at University Stadium.
 
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For more information on Reinhardt Women's Soccer, please click here.