Lilley’s hat trick puts exclamation point on winning season for Lady Trojans

New Kent's Jordan Lilley winds up to blast the ball, eventually leading to one of her three scores on the night.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent Lady Trojans’ field hockey team made sure Monday night’s game was a memorable one.

Behind a hat trick from senior leader Jordan Lilley, New Kent blanked the visiting Bruton Lady Panthers 3-0, not only capturing the most wins in a season for the program but also their first winning season.

Scoring started quickly in the contest, as 10 seconds in Lilley found the back of a goal for a quick 1-0 advantage for New Kent. That score would be the only one for the opening half as the hosts took that lead into the break.

When both teams emerged, the Lady Trojans’ fast pace sped up the game. Lilley netted goal number two with 9:52 remaining in the third quarter, doubling the hosts’ advantage to 2-0. In the fourth quarter, Lilley completed the hat trick to provide the insurance goal New Kent needed to close out the regular season.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans’ Head Coach Cristen Sickal spoke about her team’s performance in the finale.

“We have to stay controlled and poised on the field for the full 60 minutes, regardless of the scoreboard,” said the victorious coach. “We have to play our game and on one else’s.”

New Kent concludes the regular season with a record of 9-8 and will head to Lakeland for a regional quarterfinals matchup.