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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Lighting struck the same place three times when Texas A&M International and Oklahoma Christian met for a Heartland Conference shootout on Saturday. Jessica Parker, a junior forward, put on a clinic with a hat trick against the Eagles.
The 4-1 victory was the first away from home for the Dustdevils (2-9, 2-4 Heartland), but the second win featuring four goals. Parker’s trio lifts her season total to four and ninth of her career with TAMIU. The Jacksonville, Fla., native struck to open the score line in the 27th minute and struck nylon twice in the second half (50th, 83rd).
Of her three goals, only one was assisted. Sophomore Rosalia Pujols-Burgos threaded a long pass to an in-stride Parker for the final tally against the grounded Eagles. Parker’s opening strike cracked from distance and sizzled by OCU goalkeeper Anna Walker (45 minutes played, 2 goals allowed) in the 28th minute.
Four minutes later, the match’s center official pointed to the penalty spot and senior Sam Zerilli put the OCU goal in her crosshairs from the 12 yards away. The converted penalty kick gifted Zerilli her third goal of the season.
The goal-resulting penalty was called on Devon Palluth, who was booked for the offense.
With the 2-0 lead holding into halftime, OCU made a keeper change – switching to Chelsie Flagg – but the Dustdevils built upon their foundation with a pair of second-half strikes off Parkers’ boots.
The Eagles thwarted Christina Morales’ clean sheet in TAMIU’s net when Esmeralda Bermudez-Delgado scored in the 70th minute off a penalty kick.
Morales, a freshman from Rowlett, Texas, improved to 2-8 in goal, completing eight saves on Eagles shots.
Six bookings were dealt in the match, with three going to each team. TAMIU’s Christiana Sulak (55th minute), Crystal Zapien (54th) and Parker (63rd) were cautioned; OCU’s Palluth (32nd) and Rachel Bates (59th) saw yellow as well.
The Dustdevils next take the pitch against No. 14 Dallas Baptist on Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m. before returning to the TAMIU Soccer Complex on Oct. 26 to face the University of Texas at Brownsville at 7:30 p.m.
