The Illinois Tech women’s soccer team walked onto Stuart Field late Friday afternoon looking not only to start the 2019 season strong, but to avenge a 2018 defeat. Hosting a North Park University team that handed Illinois Tech its first loss of last season, the Scarlet Hawks accomplished both tasks with an impressive display. After rolling to start the match, Illinois Tech cruised to a 4-0 win.

How it Happened

• As a freshman, Jamie Griggs was named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Freshman of the Year and Third Team All-Region. If the first few minutes of Friday is any indication, Griggs could be in for an even better season as a sophomore.
• The California native scored on an Anna Delseith assist in the fifth minute before the duo connected again in the 10th minute. Two shots, two goals, and a 2-0 lead for Tech.
• Not to be forgotten, Delseith played a role in all three goals in the first half. That’s because in the 33rd minute, she took a cross from Juila Taliana and rifled it past the keeper to give her four first-half points.
• After going into the half up 3-0, the North Park defense was able to slow Illinois Tech a bit to start the fourth. However, that did not last forever, as Griggs capped off the first match of the season with a hat trick.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Griggs finished with the hat trick on five shots, converting all of her shots on goal.
• Delseith had one goal, two assists, four shots, and two shots on goal.
• Elena Esparcia Cañada also had five shots with three shots on net.
• The goalkeeper trio of Emily Garza, Catherine Klemp, and Cheryl Gardner combined for the shutout. Garza earned the win with two saves over 45 minutes. Klemp recorded three saves in 34:57 of action.

Stats to Know

• Illinois Tech outshot the Vikings 24-11 overall and 13-5 in the first half.
• The Scarlet Hawks attempted eight total corners compared to just one for NPU.