Brittain scores another hat trick as Spartans move win streak to eight

In a battle of two teams that began the day in a three-way tie for third in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference - North Division, the MiraCosta College women's soccer team scored three times in the first 20 minutes, and never looked back as they rolled to a 5-1 win over the College of the Desert on Tuesday afternoon.

It was Sophomore Day for the Spartans, who sent Mia Loreto, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Savannah McInerny, Peyton Brittain, Rachel Hay, Jaquelyn Alvarez and Valerie Mathys out in style.

Brittain scored yet another hat trick for MiraCosta, who moved to 9-7-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the conference, and maintained pace with Mt. San Jacinto College for third place. Desert's record fell to 7-8-3 and 2-4-1.

Bianca Gastelum got the scoring started two minutes into the match with a free kick from just outside the box after Mathys drew a foul from the Roadrunners backline. Mathys then scored a goal of her own on an assist from Gastelum in the 16th minute by beating the Desert keeper one on one right in front of the goal.

Brittain's first two goals came in the first half in the 20th and 43rd minutes, and were both assisted by Mathys, who finished with four points. The goals, however, were also split by a score from the Roadrunners, who saw Melite Pena connect on a turnaround shot from way outside the box that found the top, far corner of the goal.

Next, Brittain got her hat trick early in the second half (51st minute) when she gathered possession from beyond midfield and took it all the way herself for the finish.

Brittain and Mathys have continued to act as the dynamic duo for MiraCosta, as both have netted two hat tricks during their final year in a Spartans uniform, and both are currently on a seven-match scoring streak.

MiraCosta started the final month of the season on a high note as the Spartans have yet to allow more than one goal in any match of its current eight-match winning streak, which has given the Spartans a chance to earn a playoff berth in the final month of the season.

Next up, the Spartans host first-place San Bernardino Valley College, in a matchup with important playoff implications, on Friday, November 4, at 1 p.m.