COAL TOWNSHIP - Southern Columbia's Bailey Bzdak and Mackenzie Clark each scored hat tricks in the Tigers' 8-3 win over Shamokin Area Wednesday night at Bernie Romanoski Field.
That's the short version of Southern Columbia's domination Wednesday in a Heartland Conference Division II game.
The longer version weaves the story of a plucky Shamokin squad being overmatched by Southern's expansive roster.
"We talked to them tonight about picking up the intensity and playing to what they're capable of, and I think they did that tonight," Southern Columbia head coach Derek Stine said.
"It's a rivalry game and you always look forward to those games."
The Tigers started things off well with a goal by Bzdak just 37 seconds into the game, but despite then controlling possession of the ball over the next 15 minutes, they didn't add to their lead. Shamokin, however, took advantage of the cracks in Southern's defense to score twice in 13 seconds.
The first Indians' goal was a pure hustle play by Gabriann Lahr, who netted her goal at the 15:54 mark. She outran defenders and punched her shot past Southern's Jess Watkins.
Then, after Southern touched the ball into play, Shamokin got the ball back and Megan Koharski lofted a shot from more than 30 yards out that cleared Watkins' head and snuck under the crossbar to give the Indians' a 2-1 lead.
Southern didn't panic and over the next 10 minutes continued to put pressure on the Indians' defense. The Tigers didn't tie it until Bzdak created her own opportunity near the top of the box and put the ball past Shamokin keeper Brianna Martin.
Bzdak then gave the Tigers the lead on a penalty kick 36 minutes into the game after she was tripped in the box.
Southern scored twice more in the last 2:10 to take a commanding lead.
The Tigers then brought in waves of substitutions and Clark took over.
"We've never had this many kids and it is nice to see them taking up half the field when they're running across," Stine said after the game when his players were doing a cool-down jog across the field.
In the first minute of the second half, a jumping save by Martin set up a corner kick for the Tigers, which Clark ultimately put into the back of the net.
Shamokin got a brief lift when Koharski scored on a penalty kick after Lahr was tripped in the box, but it was tough for the Indians to match Southern's depth.
"It's hard to compete, but our girls played hard and I have a bunch of really good girls," Shamokin head coach Matt Witmer said.
"Our girls were getting hurt or cramping but once they came out they wanted to go right back in."
Clark then scored the last two goals, one with an assist from Mackenzie Haladay and the other on a free kick.
Game Summary
Southern (2-0) 5 3 - 8
Shamokin (2-1) 2 1 - 3