PAPILLION, Neb. -- Emma Madej scored her first collegiate hat trick to pace the Bellevue University women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory over Tabor College in the Bruins' home-opener on Saturday afternoon.
Bellevue remained unbeaten on the season, improving to 2-0-1 while Tabor, playing their first game of the year, opens the campaign at 0-1-0.
Emma Madej put the Bruins on the board in the ninth minute. Katrina Avila sent in a pass to the right side and Madej blasted a high shot that ripped the back of the net.
She doubled her tally in the 16th minute, taking a ball from a defender and again rifling a shot high and into the back of the net.
Taylan Murphey got in on the action in the 39th minute as she volley-chipped a bouncing ball for her second goal of the season.
The Bruins carried that 3-0 advantage into the halftime break, having out-shot Tabor 10-1 in the first 45 minutes.
Madej finished off her hat trick in the 86th minute, taking a pass in behind the defense from Ximena Jauregui and beating the keeper with a shot to the far side.
Alessia Ricciardi stopped the lone shot on goal she faced to collect her second shutout of the season.
Hayley Bench totaled nine saves in the loss as BU out-shot the Bluejays 21-1 in the contest, 13-1 on goal. Bellevue collected five corners to Tabor's three.
The Bruins return to Papillion Landing on Wednesday evening, Aug. 30 when they entertain Hastings College for an 8 p.m. kick-off.
