Lone Tree Voice > Sports
Hemming’s hat trick secures Cougars victory over LA
Staff report
Taryn Hemmings scored all three goals for the Real Colorado Cougars in their 3-2 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Legends June 23 at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch.
Hemming’s hat trick provided three crucial points in the Cougars quest for a post season playoff berth.
On an unsettled Colorado evening, with heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes in the area, the Cougars used a solid first-half defensive effort in the form of Hemming’s hat trick and then withstood a late Legends rally to secure the victory.
In minute 12, Hemmings opened the scoring as she found the ball at her feet inside the 18 and delivered a slotted ball to beat Legends goalkeeper Alicia Lugo, unassisted, for her first goal of the night.
Towards the end of the first half, in minute 44, Hemmings again delivered an unassisted goal, as she punched a rocket into the upper 90, from 25 yards out, and pushed the Cougars up to a halftime margin of 2-0.
The first half statistics showed Real with an edge in shots on goal with six to the Legends four, and the two sides were even in corner kicks with two apiece. Lugo saved two shots for Legends squad and U23 U.S. National team goalkeeper Kristin Arnold had two saves for Real.
Los Angeles opened the game up in the second half with more pressure on the Cougars goal, with several diagonal balls played to forward Jennifer Williams, but the L.A. team was unable to convert their chances early in the half.
L.A. did get on the board in minute 89, when second half substitute Katie Maxwell delivered the Legends first goal of the match to bring the score to 2-1 Cougars.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Cougar midfielder Kerstyn Farrell played an excellent through ball to a streaking Hemmings, who drilled her third goal of the match and the eventual game winner.
Los Angeles also scored a late in stoppage time, as Jess Murphy ripped an outstanding shot that went by the outstretched arms of Arnold for L.A.’s second goal. The final count of the match was 3-2 Real.
The Cougars go on the road to face 2008 W-League semi-finalist Seattle, as well as perennial Western conference power, the Vancouver Whitecaps. The matches are July 3 and 5 respectively in the Pacific Northwest. The Cougars then return home for their final game of the regular season on 1 p.m. July 19 at Shea Stadium versus the Whitecaps.
Real will introduce the “Cougars Den” for their over-21 fans to enjoy an adult beverage at the match for this final game. For more information on the Real Colorado Cougars and game tickets, visit www.cougars.realcolorado.net or call 303-324-1281.
Hemming’s hat trick provided three crucial points in the Cougars quest for a post season playoff berth.
On an unsettled Colorado evening, with heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes in the area, the Cougars used a solid first-half defensive effort in the form of Hemming’s hat trick and then withstood a late Legends rally to secure the victory.
In minute 12, Hemmings opened the scoring as she found the ball at her feet inside the 18 and delivered a slotted ball to beat Legends goalkeeper Alicia Lugo, unassisted, for her first goal of the night.
Towards the end of the first half, in minute 44, Hemmings again delivered an unassisted goal, as she punched a rocket into the upper 90, from 25 yards out, and pushed the Cougars up to a halftime margin of 2-0.
The first half statistics showed Real with an edge in shots on goal with six to the Legends four, and the two sides were even in corner kicks with two apiece. Lugo saved two shots for Legends squad and U23 U.S. National team goalkeeper Kristin Arnold had two saves for Real.
Los Angeles opened the game up in the second half with more pressure on the Cougars goal, with several diagonal balls played to forward Jennifer Williams, but the L.A. team was unable to convert their chances early in the half.
L.A. did get on the board in minute 89, when second half substitute Katie Maxwell delivered the Legends first goal of the match to bring the score to 2-1 Cougars.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Cougar midfielder Kerstyn Farrell played an excellent through ball to a streaking Hemmings, who drilled her third goal of the match and the eventual game winner.
Los Angeles also scored a late in stoppage time, as Jess Murphy ripped an outstanding shot that went by the outstretched arms of Arnold for L.A.’s second goal. The final count of the match was 3-2 Real.
The Cougars go on the road to face 2008 W-League semi-finalist Seattle, as well as perennial Western conference power, the Vancouver Whitecaps. The matches are July 3 and 5 respectively in the Pacific Northwest. The Cougars then return home for their final game of the regular season on 1 p.m. July 19 at Shea Stadium versus the Whitecaps.
Real will introduce the “Cougars Den” for their over-21 fans to enjoy an adult beverage at the match for this final game. For more information on the Real Colorado Cougars and game tickets, visit www.cougars.realcolorado.net or call 303-324-1281.
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