ST. AUGUSTINE – Sara Sandberg netted a hat trick as No. 3 (United Soccer Coaches Division II Top 25) Flagler College rolled to a 3-0 win over Catawba College in the first round of the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships Friday night at Saints Field.

Flagler (20-0-1), the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region bracket, advances to the second round where it will face No. 4 seed Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Saints Field. Catawba, the No. 8 seed in the Southeast, concludes its season at 11-4-3.

"Our players were magnificent tonight against a tough Catawba team," said hea coach Ashley Martin. "It's impossible to single out any individuals as every one of them made a huge impact."

Sandberg's first tally came in the 14^th minute when she corralled a deflected clear by a Catawba player. She dribbled in toward the center of the goal box and rifled a shot past the keeper curling the shot to the right.

She added another goal in the 62^nd minute when she broke away and took a shot that the Indians keeper got a hand on and then cleaned up the rebound to stake the Saints to a 2-0 lead.

Her third goal came in the 78^th minute when she knocked in a cross from Maria Castorino Mujica that was partially deflected by a Catawba player. Sandberg quickly flicked the ball in off the deflection for her 23^rd goal of the season.

Sarah-Lisa Dubel recorded her fourth consecutive shutout, and her 10^th clean sheet of the season, with seven saves. Dubel made several diving stops to keep Catawba off the board. Shelby Thompson tallied seven saves for the Indians.      
 

Flagler out-shot Catawba 21-9, but held a 10-7 edge in shots on goal. Each team had five corner kicks.

"The crowd (421 in attendance) also played a huge part in the win," added Martin. "They generated the best atmosphere I have ever seen at Saints Field."

Be the first to know what's going on with the Saints -- Follow @FlaglerSports on Twitter, follow FlaglerSports on Instagram, become a fan of Flagler College Athletics on Facebook and subscribe to the Flagler College Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with Flagler Athletics.

 

Flagler (20-0-1), the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region bracket, advances to the second round where it will face No. 4 seed Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Saints Field. Catawba, the No. 8 seed in the Southeast, concludes its season at 11-4-3.

Sandberg's first tally came in the 14^th minute when she corralled a deflected clear by a Catawba player. She dribbled in toward the center of the goal box and rifled a shot past the keeper curling the shot to the right.

She added another goal in the 62^nd minute when she broke away and took a shot that the Indians keeper got a hand on and then cleaned up the rebound to stake the Saints to a 2-0 lead.

Her third goal came in the 78^th minute when she knocked in a cross from Maria Castorino Mujica that was partially deflected by a Catawba player. Sandberg quickly flicked the ball in off the deflection for her 23^rd goal of the season.

Sarah-Lisa Dubel recorded her fourth consecutive shutout, and her 10^th clean sheet of the season, with seven saves. Dubel made several diving stops to keep Catawba off the board. Shelby Thompson tallied seven saves for the Indians.      


Flagler out-shot Catawba 21-9, but held a 10-7 edge in shots on goal. Each team had five corner kicks.

Be the first to know what's going on with the Saints -- Follow @FlaglerSports on Twitter, follow FlaglerSports on Instagram, become a fan of Flagler College Athletics on Facebook and subscribe to the Flagler College Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with Flagler Athletics.