MESA, Ariz. --- The Park University Gilbert women's soccer team defeated the Nelson University Arizona Warriors by a score of 4-1, Saturday evening at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.

Led by senior forward Lauren Runnion and her second hat trick of the 2025 season (8, 61, 70), the Buccaneers got back in the win column in dominant fashion.

No Park-Gilbert women's soccer player had ever recorded two hat tricks in the same year, and Runnion achieved that feat in the first three games of the season; tying fellow teammate Katelynn Harris's record for most goals scored in a game. Runnion's 12 shots reset another Buccaneer record for most shots attempted in one game.

Sometimes the best defense can be consistent offensive pressure, which Park-Gilbert applied as they outshot Nelson 26-2. The Bucs kept the ball out of their own defensive zone, as the shorthanded Warriors squad tried keeping pace. The Warriors could not substitute anyone due to only having 11 active players, as the rest of their team was battling injury.

Runnion wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, netting her first goal in the 8^th minute off a tight pass from sophomore forward Darienne Thompson. They took that 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

In the 59^th minute freshman forward Kalei Ganotisi scored her second goal of the season, assisted by sophomore defender Bekah Sipinga.

Runnion scored her second and third goals in the span of 10 minutes. Sophomore forward Kiara Rubio assisted Runnion in the 61^st minute and Thompson got her second assist of the game in the 70^th minute. Janessa Lugo scored Nelson's lone goal of the match in the 82^nd minute.  

Buccaneers senior goalkeeper Morgan Trail got her first start of the season, picking up the win and the first-half shutout. Sophomore Journey Morimoto took over netminding duties in the second half. Neither keeper recorded a save, as Nelson didn't record a shot on goal.

The Buccaneers return to the pitch in less than 48 hours, as the team travels to La Grande, Ore., to face Northwest University this Monday, Sept. 1 at 11:00 a.m. MST.