DES MOINES, Iowa – Freshman forward Kayla Delgado scored all four goals Sunday afternoon as SIUE women’s soccer earned its first win of the season, defeating Drake 4-1 at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

“It was like night and day from Friday (loss at Kansas City),” SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said. “From the first whistle on we had the run of play.”

We did a lot of talking after Friday and yesterday and we watched video,” Burton continued. “I think it sunk I for our girls as to what they needed to do.”

Delgado became the first SIUE player to score four goals in a game since Kristine Armstrong did it nearly 10 years ago. The win pushed the Cougars to 1-1, while Drake fell to 0-2 for the season.

“Kayla finished her opportunities and that’s what you want from a forward,” Burton said. “But you also have to mention the work our team did to get her the ball in great places.”

Three different Cougars dotted the score sheet with assists Sunday. The Cougars used 20 different players during the game and were without starters Cassidy Sherman and Kourtney Price for parts of the game. Both players suffered hard collisions during the game.

“It was a total team effort today,” Burton added. “We finished the game with four freshmen on our backline. They all brought energy and enthusiasm and a desire to compete.”

It was Drake that got on the board first. Paige Dusek put the Bulldogs on top in the 29th minute with a one-time strike from the top of the penalty area. It was the only time that Bulldogs would get one past SIUE goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley. Pelley made six saves to earn the win and even her own record at 1-1.

Delgado’s first of the day came with less than five minutes to play in the first half to send the game into the break tied at one. Samantha Jones picked up the assist, finding Delgado with a throw-in. Delgado struck from 23 yards away.

The second goal came in the 63rd minute and put the Cougars on top for good at 2-1. Sarah Doggendorf slid a through ball to Delgado who hit a one-timer that got by Drake goalkeeper Andrea Swanson to the far post corner.

The hat trick came just 3:42 later when Delgado hit the near post with a shot. The rebound came back to her and she didn’t miss the second opportunity, again striking to the far post.

The finally tally came in the 76^th minute. Tory Pitts assisted on Delgado’s fourth goal of the day, pushing a pass through the middle for Delgado. Delgado went one-on-one with Swanson and again beat her with a shot to the far post low corner.

“She’s just scratching the surface of learning to play at the Division I level,” Burton said of Delgado. “She certainly has the ability to be this dangerous game in and game out.”

The Cougars welcome IUPUI in the home opener Friday night at Korte Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

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