TIFFIN -- Highlighted by Danielle Rathfon's hat trick, the Heidelberg University women's soccer team picked up a 3-2 victory over visiting Earlham College. The Student Princes dominated possession for most of the game, outshooting the Quakers 30-8.

The win improves Heidelberg to 3-3 and it gives the Tricolor their first two-match win streak since September of 2014.  Earlham fell to 1-4.

FIRST HALF
The Student Princes got off to a slow start, as they struggled for possession for the first ten minutes of play. After a defensive miscue, Earlham's Kelly Mahew was able to sneak a goal by Heidelberg keeper Alexandra Farmer. Cherrah Barclay played a ball in front of the goal that Mahew was able to get a foot on and place it just out of the reach of Farmer. The goal came in the 10th minute.

After dominating possession from the time of the Earlham goal, Heidelberg was finally able to get on the board. Rathfon, a freshman, scored her first of three goals for the day in the 22nd minute. Kristen Keenan played a ball ahead to Rathfon who launched a shot from 18 yards out. The Earlham keeper was able to get a piece of it, but the ball trickled in to tie the game.

Continuing to keep the pressure on the Earlham defense, the Tricolor was able to pull ahead just before halftime. Anna DeAngelis found Rathfon on the right side 15 yards out. A hard strike found the upper 90 of the goal to put the Berg ahead 2-1 in the 43rd minute.

SECOND HALF
The Berg picked up in the second half right where they left off. After pressuring the Earlham keeper for the majority of the half, the offense got another goal on the board in the 84th minute. Junior Darby Moloney played a through ball to Rathfon who broke through the Earlham defense. A strike with her right foot found the lower left corner of the goal, just past the diving Earlham keeper. Rathfon's goal sealed the hat trick and put the Berg ahead 3-1.

Just over a minute after the Student Princes pushed their lead to two goals, the Quakers scored to cut the lead to 3-2. Abby McCullough found Micaela Bush who fired a shot past Farmer. Heidelberg was able to eliminate any chance for an equalizer, as they were able to keep possession for the rest of the match.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
With the Heidelberg lead still 2-1 in the second half, Earlham had a terrific opportunity to tie the game. In the 78th minute Abby McCullough found her way through the Heidelberg defense for a breakaway shot. Goalkeeper Alexandra Farmer was able to haul in the shot, making a sliding play to preserve the Berg's lead.

Rathfon's hat trick was the first for Heidelberg since Kelsey Hogan accomplished the feat in 2011.  Hogan scored three times against Mt. St. Joseph (9/16/11). 

UP NEXT
Heidelberg is back in action tomorrow against visiting Oberlin College (2-2-1). The match is slated for a 2 p.m. start.