By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Jessica Grindle provided another hat trick to give the Express women's soccer team a 5-0 win over Region XII rival Cincinnati State Technical and Community College today.

It was Grindle's second hat trick in the past three games.

The Express came out firing away offensively. They produced eight shots in the game's first eight and a half minutes, with three saved by Cincinnati State's goalkeeper, Kelsie Lee. 

The next shot, however, was put in the back left corner of the net by Abby Groll. It was assisted by Haley Kreger and gave the Express a 1-0 lead at the 10:15 mark.

Later, with just seven seconds left in the first half, Grindle scored her first goal off a cross from Haley Gasser to put the Express up 2-0.

In the first half, the Express outshot Cincinnati State 19-1 overall, with the Surge getting zero shots on goal.

After missing quite a few opportunities to add on in the first half, the Express didn't waste much time doing so in the second half.

Grindle added back-to-back goals at the 47:40 mark and 48:18 marks to blow the game open. On the first goal, Kendyl Christian crossed the ball to Haley Gasser, who one-timed it to Grindle. On the next goal, Grindle got a through ball from Christian and nailed it past the keeper.

Jill Burkholder made it a five goal lead with a goal off a header on a cross by Gasser at the 59:40 mark.

Overall, the Express out-shot Cincinnati State 30-3, including an 11-2 edge in the second half. The Express held an 18-2 advantage in shots on goal, as well.

Grindle and Gasser each had a team-high three shots on goal, while Burkholder and Christian each had two shots on goal.

Erika Brinkman made two saves in her only two shots faced on goal, while Lee made 13 saves on her 18 shots faced.

The Express held a 13-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Notes

The Express are now 5-2 overall and 3-2 in Region XII, while the Surge fall to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in Region XII.

The next action for the Express, who have won three straight, will be at home this Saturday against Lorain County Community College at 11 a.m.

Gasser finished the game with three assists, while Christian added two and Kreger added one. The team had a double-assist on the team's third goal. 

Kreger picked up her second assist of the season today, while Grindle now has 10 goals, Groll has two goals, Burkholder has five goals and Gasser has four assists.