WASHINGTON, D.C. - Justyce Hollenbach needed just 8 minutes to write the story of La Salle's dominance, propelling the Explorers to a 5-1 victory over George Washington and extending the Colonials' losing streak to two games before 247 fans at Mount Vernon Campus.
Hollenbach's early strike, assisted by Rylee Henson's pinpoint cross, set the tone for what became a one-way contest. The Colonials struggled to respond, and La Salle's Elizabeth Cruz doubled the lead just before halftime, capitalizing on Kate McGrath's clever through ball in the 26th minute.
The second half was a masterclass in ruthless efficiency for La Salle. Alexis Garcia netted a hat-trick, scoring in the 49th, 55th, and 56th minutes, with assists from Hollenbach, Anna Corsanico, and Kayden Williams, respectively. Kameron Rase added a sixth goal for La Salle in the 58th minute, finishing a beautifully weighted pass from Garcia.
George Washington's only goal came courtesy of Kameron Rase's counterpart, but it was too little, too late. The Colonials' struggles were epitomized by their inability to find the target, managing just six shots on goal compared to La Salle's nine. The statistical ledger reveals a stark contrast in efficiency: La Salle outshot George Washington 16-10 overall and held a significant 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The early breakthrough allowed La Salle to dictate the pace, controlling possession and creating scoring opportunities at will. George Washington's defense was left scrambling to contain La Salle's attacking threat, and the Explorers capitalized on their chances with ruthless precision. In contrast, the Colonials' offense struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with their lone goal coming as a consolation.
La Salle's victory represents more than just three points; it marks a significant boost to their conference standings, moving to 3-2-1. For George Washington, the loss continues a troubling trend, leaving them 4-7-3 overall and 1-5 in conference play. The Colonials will look to regroup against Rhode Island next, while La Salle travels to face Fordham.
The victory was a testament to La Salle's attacking prowess, with Garcia's hat-trick highlighting her growing importance to the team. Hollenbach's early goal and subsequent assist also underscored her threat up front. For George Washington, the loss exposed defensive vulnerabilities that must be addressed before their next outing.
As the teams parted ways, the message was clear: La Salle is a force to be reckoned with, while George Washington has significant work to do to turn their season around. The afternoon belonged to La Salleβand specifically to their attacking trio.
Key Players:
Justyce Hollenbach (La Salle) β Scored the opening goal and assisted Alexis Garcia's first strike, showcasing her dual threat as a scorer and playmaker.
Alexis Garcia (La Salle) β Netting a hat-trick, Garcia demonstrated her clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Elizabeth Cruz (La Salle) β Doubled La Salle's lead just before halftime, showcasing her composure in front of goal.
Kameron Rase (La Salle) β Scored the sixth goal, finishing a beautifully weighted pass from Garcia, highlighting La Salle's depth in attack.