Di Bartolo’s Hat-Trick Highlights Women’s Soccer Home Opener Win Over St. Elizabeth

BROOKLYN, N.Y. —  Senior Christina Di Bartolo (Middle Village, N.Y./Forest Hills) recorded her first career hat trick as the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's soccer team remained unbeaten defeating St. Elizabeth University, 5-0, on Thursday evening in their home opener at Aviator Field.

Classmate Julia Lavelle (Bayside, N.Y./Mary Louis Academy) and junior Ashley Vozella (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) both found the back of the net for the second straight game. 

How It Happened

The Bears controlled possession for much of the opening 45 with the wind in their favor. Lavelle opened the scoring in the 17th minute taking a feed from Mia Castaneda (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) and slotting it into the right side of goal.

Vozella struck an unassisted tally in the 30th minute from the top of the 18 high over goalie sending the Bears into the intermission with a 2-0 lead.

Di Bartolo provided all the second-half scoring, turning her hat trick in a span of 25 minutes. She took a feed from Lavelle in the 60th minute and slid it past the keeper off her line. The co-captain buried one in the top corner six minutes later from a pass from Bethany Perez.

With less than five minutes left to play, Castaneda's through ball sent Di Bartolo in 1v1 and she beat her defender and shooting low left to complete the hat trick.

For the Bears

• Reigning Skyline Offensive Player of the Week Castaneda has recorded a point in every game this season, dishing out a pair of assists.
• Bethany Perez (Phelan, Calif./Serrano) and Lavelle also notched an assist.
• Alexis Breen (Union, N.J./Keyport) led all players with six shots.
• Aided by a strong back line, senior Reem Shaban (Brooklyn, N.Y./New Utrecht) stopped the lone shot she faced for her second straight shutout.

Next Up

The Bears open Skyline Conference action on Saturday, September 18 traveling to Purchase College for a noon kickoff. Live stats and video can be found at sjcbears.com/live,