Leander scores hat trick in 4-1 win over Union County
Clinton High School’s girls soccer team moved into third place in the District 4-AA standings with a 4-1 victory over Union County Monday night in Maynardville.
Elly Leander scored a hat trick and dished out an assist on a marker by Addie Haney, who also assisted on one of Leander’s goals.
Leander had two of her goals before halftime.
Haney also tallied in the first half against the Lady Patriots. Haney’s goal came late in half.
The victory against Union County likely clinched the third spot and the No. 3 seed for the Lady Dragons (6-3 overall, 2-2 in the district).
“We finished third in the district,” Clinton Coach Suzanne Stout said.
Leander completed her hat trick late in the match after Union County scored. Stout said that her star player made her most-dazzling play to finish off her hat trick.
“With less than 10 minutes to play, Elly took it 50 yards and scored to make it 4-1,” Stout said. “She dribbled past four or five defenders and scored.”
Lezly Hernandez also had an assist for the Lady Dragons.
Stout also had high praise for goalkeeper Abby Hutchens and her back line.
“Abby Hutchens played a great game in goal and so did the entire defense, Shae York, Grace Allen, Ashley Gaetz, Maddy Lindsay and Riley Sharp,” Stout said.
Clinton also picked up a league win Thursday night as it went on the road and was able to claim a 2-1 victory against Scott.
Leander scored twice, and Haney and Hernandez were each credited with an assist.
The win helped the Lady Dragons bounce back from a 7-0 loss to Anderson County on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
“That was a big win for us,” Stout said.
“Elly is such a great player.”