READING, Pa. – Sophomore Lauren Haley became the first Albright player in nearly five years to record a hat trick and the women's soccer team kicked off 2018 on a high note with a 5-2 win over Marywood (0-1) on Saturday afternoon at Shirk Stadium.

Making her Albright debut, Haley is the first Lion to record a hat trick since Emily Sousa accomplished the feat on Sept. 11, 2013 vs. Penn State-Harrisburg.

This marks the second straight year that Albright (1-0) has recorded a season-opening win over Marywood after notching a 1-0 victory to start the 2017 campaign.

The five goals is the most in a game by head coach Pat Stanco's squad since a 6-0 win over Neumann in the ECAC Tournament on Nov. 12, 2016.

Things were tied at one apiece in the 31^st minute before Haley got behind the defense and beat Pacers goalie Aly Moyer on a breakaway to give the Lions the lead for good at 2-1.

Marywood had grabbed an early 1-0 edge less than three minutes into the contest as Ashley Kruchinsky played a cross from Kayla Schmadtke and sent a header that found its way over the head of Lions keeper Alexis Tunney. Two minutes later, Haley received a beautiful through ball from senior Kennedy Lutz and got in alone on net to even things at one apiece.

Haley finished the hat trick in the 48^th minute as she beat a defender and tucked the shot into the far right post to give the hosts a 3-1 lead. Lutz converted a penalty kick in the 53^rd minute and senior Emily Mollica buried a free kick from about 15 yards out on the far right wing in the 67^th minute to complete the scoring for Albright.

The Pacers held a 16-14 advantage in shots, but the Lions had 10 shots on target as opposed to Marywood's seven. Haley had four shots on net to pace the Lions, while Lutz and freshman Diza Hasanaj recorded two apiece.

Albright is back on action on Monday, Sept. 3 when they head to Immaculata to battle the Mighty Macs at 6:30 p.m.