The UNA soccer team defeated Christian Brothers 4-1 Oct. 16 to earn an additional Gulf South Conference victory.

UNA forward Chloe Richards is tied for second on the UNA career-scoring list and scored the ninth hat trick of her career, helping the Lions improve to an overall 10-2-1 record this season.

The first half was a battle for possession as both teams kicked the ball around the pitch, but could never find opportunities to score.

“The first 10 or 15 minutes everyone is just feeling each other out,” said head coach Chris Walker. “Obviously we do scouting reports, but you never know what’s going to happen until you get into the game. Once we got out of the first 15 minutes, I don’t think we had any issues.”

In the 29th minute, Richards scored the first of her three goals off an assist from freshman forward Kylie Huey to put UNA up 1-0.

The senior continued the barrage with another goal in the 38th minute and completed the hat trick with her final goal moments before the halftime whistle.

“Scoring any goal, especially here on our home turf, is a great feeling,” said Richards, who has 23 goals on the season. “Knowing that I’m contributing to a 4-1 win is a great feeling.”

Junior midfielder Ele Costello capped off the scoring for the Lions with a goal in the 58th minute.

The Buccaneers found a goal of their own in the final minute, but it came late, as the Lions ran the time out and picked up their seventh consecutive home victory.

The win puts the Lions in good position in the GSC standings heading into two crucial road matches against Union and No. 23 West Alabama.

“(Union) is never an easy place to play,” Walker said. “Hopefully we can get a win there and it’ll be a good push for postseason. If we can get a good result against Union, we’ll focus on West Alabama from there.”

UNA travels to Jackson, Tennessee, to face the Bulldogs Oct. 20.